Thunder waive Earl Watson

[coyotes_geek]

CG: I wonder if this changes the Spurs thinking about their PG situation. He just turned 30 and we've still got an LLE.

******************

The Oklahoma City Thunder waived guard Earl Watson it was announced today by Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

The 8-year NBA veteran appeared in 68 games (18 starts) with Oklahoma City this past season and averaged 6.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per contest.

Watson, a 6-1 guard out of UCLA, holds career averages of 7.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds in 597 career games (156 starts) with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Seattle Supersonics.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60642/20090717/thunder_waives_earl_watson/

[Marcus Bryant]

hmmm

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Very interesting. His name used to always come up here every offseason. Tough guy, good defender, always sounded like a Pop kind of PG but his contract was pretty bloated for a backup.

There's a small fear that having a guy like this might make Pop more apt to pull the plug on George Hill if he struggles at all, but as far as a 3rd PG goes this guy would be pretty good.

[Mr. Body]

Could show what an expiring contract counts for now -- his was $6.6 million or so.

[brucebowens ghost]

yea he's a good defender but the guy cant shoot from what i remember

[kobyz]

i have a feeling that Boston will sign him as Rondo backup, very solid player.

[coyotes_geek]

i have a feeling that Boston will sign him as Rondo backup, very solid player.

Boston makes a lot of sense for him too, but we know they don't have any MLE left. Not sure if they've got their LLE or not.

[Mr. Body]

Not an outside threat. But a good defender.

[TheProfessor]

yea he's a good defender but the guy cant shoot from what i remember
Like that stopped us from picking up Vaughn.

[MaNu4Tres]

Too good for a 3rd pg, not good enough to break the rotation. If he would put his ego aside to take the minimum and be fine with only playing if there was an injury to TP or GH3 then I'd sign him.

Therefore it's not happening.

Miami, Boston, Philadelphia are more realistic situations.

[brucebowens ghost]

dudes a career 41.5 fg%, 70.6ft% and 33.8 3pt fg % im sure we'll pass on him

[peskypesky]

he'd be a good pick up if it didn't cost much, and i can't imagine it will.

[peskypesky]

hzyv9GPZAxU&feature=fvw

x5td21fnd0g

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

hzyv9GPZAxU&feature=fvw

x5td21fnd0g

[raspsa]

Not a bad option. But if it means GHill gets less playing time, I'm against it.

[EricB]

Would be a damn solid to good 3rd point IMO.

[Dex]

Seems like a decent player, but for some reason...

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/do-not-want.jpg

[Kori Ellis]

I'm sure they'll look at him. The Spurs like his D, and he's a good 3-point shooter in clutch situations (though can be a chucker at times).

[timvp]

He used to be the best backup point guard in the league. But his game has fallen off recently and last year he couldn't hit an outside shot to save his life.

I'd take him as a third string point guard but he's sure to find a backup job somewhere.

[Blackjack]

Talent-wise, sure, he'd be nice to have as a 3rd point-guard. But I'm doubtful he'd be willing to play that or his ego would allow it. Thus, not the type of player conducive to Hill's development.

Good defender who seems to play better against the Spurs over the years, somewhat of a pre-requisite for Spurs interest:lol, but he thinks he's better than he is and can be detrimental to the flow of your offense.

Basically, a long-winded: No thank you.

[tav1]

Meh. Watson is a not the player he once was. I'd rather save the LLE for Feb and let Marcus Williams try his hand at point.

[callo1]

Always liked him. He used to play Tony about as well as any guard could. He plays with a quiet fire inside...kinda of like TD. Too good to be a 3rd pg off the bench though, and I really want to see Hill grow, so I am kind of split on the idea of the Spurs looking at him.

[pawe]

If the Spurs somehow got Watson, he will definitely be the backup pg for Tp and the situation will stunt Hill's growth again as the main backup.

[Danny.Zhu]

Boston makes a lot of sense for him too, but we know they don't have any MLE left. Not sure if they've got their LLE or not.

I guess they have spent the LLE on Daniels?

[AFBlue]

Just like B. Wallace, the Spurs will take an interest in him. I think alot depends on Marcus Williams' ability to impress in training camp.

The Spurs could definitely do worse for a third string pg though.

[venitian navigator]

I think his roots are mexican...so he could soon became a fan favorite!
If he likes S.A. I'm not totally against that...he could form a strong defensive back court together with Hill, sharing point man's dutyes on offense...and doing wonders in a press defense.

[ducks]

i think he could be laker bound

[slick'81]

i dont want ne1 else cutting into george hills pg pt

[MI21]

Earl Watson has been a favourite of mine through the years. Haven't seen him play recently though. He is a fantastic on ball defender and isn't afraid to shoot which are both attributes Pop would love.

Oh, he might be the best alley-oop passer in the league :hat (with Kidd and Andre Miller)

[loveforthegame]

Would love to have him as a 3rd pg option but he'll find somewhere else to play backup.

[bishopospurs]

If we can get Ben wallace for the minimum I would rather have him take a roster spot than Watson, we can never have enough bigs

[Mr. Body]

The Lakers really need him. Fisher is getting older and older and gets ripped on defense.

[fridge]

i don't think watson would fit within the spurs culture.

didn't he go to the media and ask to be traded when the thunder began starting westbrook?

[EricB]

If the Spurs somehow got Watson, he will definitely be the backup pg for Tp and the situation will stunt Hill's growth again as the main backup.

Uh, no.

[Mr. Body]

http://www.indy.com/posts/earl-watson-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with-pacers

Already signed with Pacers for one year.

[Bruno]

Good news. He could have helped another contender.

I quite think Spurs won't add another vet PG but I'm not against it. However, one of the level of Earl Watson makes no sense to me. Having some concurrence is always good but there must have a hierarchy in a team. If your 3rd stringers have the level of 2nd stringers, it will create problems one day or another. I trust Hill enough to say that he has the level to be Spurs' backup PG.

[angelbelow]

http://www.indy.com/posts/earl-watson-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with-pacers

Already signed with Pacers for one year.

Oh damn, good find.

[loveforthegame]

Good signing for the Pacers.

[coyotes_geek]

http://www.indy.com/posts/earl-watson-agrees-to-one-year-deal-with-pacers

Already signed with Pacers for one year.

Well that didn't take long. Good signing for them, and him.

[mountainballer]

I guess this means the Pacers let Jack walk?
(or did anyone hear news if they match the Raptors offer?)

[flox]

I guess this means the Pacers let Jack walk?
(or did anyone hear news if they match the Raptors offer?)

pacer fans seem resigned (although some very happy) that he will walk.