If Leon Powe is able to make it back from a torn left ACL and damaged meniscus, he's looking to play for a title contender.

The unrestricted free agent is interested in playing for the Cavaliers and Magic, with Cleveland reportedly first on his list. The Mavericks and Lakers have also inquired about the forward's services.

The most optimistic scenario for Powe would be a return to the court in February

Less than a week after C.J. Watson expressed interest in joining the Magic, it seems that the team is no longer the front-runner to acquire the point guard.



In a text message to RealGM's Alex Kennedy, Watson indicated that there is no longer a favorite for his services and that he could end up anywhere.



"Whichever team best fits me and will give me a chance to play is where me and my agents have to decide," added Watson.



The Magic, who just signed forward Matt Barnes, do not have the money to extend a significant offer sheet to Watson. Golden State would match any offer within Orlando's spending limit, according to sources.



While sign-and-trade talks are ongoing, if a deal cannot be worked out then Watson must turn to his attention to other teams.



Philadelphia and New York are among several teams that have shown interest and returning to Golden State remains an option.

After rejecting a one million, $2.3 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this offseason, C.J. Watson is keeping his options open and could still sign with the team.

On Thursday, the Philadelphia Daily News reported that the 76ers are "considering taking a fresh look" at the third-year point guard.

Watson wouldn't rule out the possibility of joining Philadelphia when asked Thursday.

"I'm interested in playing for anyone," he told RealGM's Alex Kennedy. "I just want to play basketball and win, that's all."

Watson, who has expressed interest in joining the Orlando Magic, is weighing other options in case the acquisition of Matt Barnes prevents him from joining the team.

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Matt Barnes, General Manager Otis Smith announced today.  

Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

"Matt (Barnes) is a versatile player that fits very well with our style of play," said Smith. "He is a good defender, can knock down the open shot and is coming off his best season as a pro. We're happy to welcome Matt to the Magic family."

Barnes played in 77 games last season with Phoenix, averaging career-highs of 10.2 ppg., 5.5 rpg. and 2.8 apg. in 27.0 mpg. He made 40 starts for the Suns, averaging 12.6 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 3.2 apg. during that span.  Barnes led (or tied) the team in scoring twice, in rebounding 11 times and in assists four times.  

He scored in double figures 36 times and had eight games with 20+ points, including a season-best 26 points on Mar. 1 vs. L.A. Lakers.  Barnes also recorded five double-doubles and dished out a career-high 11 assists on Mar. 15 @ Golden State.

Originally selected by Memphis during the second round (46th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, Barnes has played in 363 career NBA regular season games with the L.A. Clippers, Sacramento, New York, Philadelphia, Golden State and Phoenix, averaging 7.0 ppg., 4.1 rpg. and 1.8 rpg. in 20.3 minpg.  He has also appeared in 11 career playoff games, averaging 11.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.4 apg. and 1.45 spg. in 30.0 mpg.

While the Sixers remain in a sign-and-trade mode concerning unrestricted free agent Andre Miller, a source indicated that Ed Stefanski has also been monitoring a situation involving Golden State Warriors free agent guard C.J. Watson and the Orlando Magic.

The source confirmed that Watson had earlier rejected a 1-year, $2.3 million offer from the Sixers. If Watson were not to sign with the Magic, it is possible that the Sixers could make a fresh offer. Derrick Powell, one of Watson's agents, said Watson is working out regularly in Las Vegas, where he makes his home.

C.J. Watson is close to signing an offer sheet with the Magic, according to a source close to negotiations.

Watson, who already turned down a one-year, $2.3 million deal from the 76ers, spent Monday trying to work out a three-year contract with Orlando.

Because he is a restricted free agent, Golden State would have seven days to match any offer from the Magic once it becomes official.

The Contra Costa Times believes that the recent agreement between the Magic and Matt Barnes might alter the chances of Watson going to Orlando.

Agent Aaron Goodwin confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel early Tuesday that the Magic and Matt Barnes have agreed on a two-year deal.

Goodwin represents both Barnes and Magic center Dwight Howard.

"He has agreed to a two-year deal, and I believe that Dwight's recruitment of him truly sealed the deal," Goodwin wrote in a text message to the Sentinel.

The deal, which has not been finalized, could be announced as early as Tuesday, an NBA source said.

The Orlando Magic are close to reaching a deal with free agent forward Matt Barnes which will put him in blue for the next two years, ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting.

Barnes, 29, averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season for Phoenix and is regarded as a versatile player off the bench who can guard forwards of all sizes and make the occasional 3-point shot.

The Magic are close to signing free-agent guard C.J. Watson to an offer sheet, according to NBA sources.

Golden State would have seven days to match the offer because of Watson's restricted free-agent status.

Watson would give Orlando another option at point guard behind Jameer Nelson and Anthony Johnson.

Marcin Gortat was looking forward to playing for the Mavericks, according to his agent.

The Magic surprised and disappointed Gortat when they matched the five-year, $34 million offer sheet he signed with Dallas.

Agent Guy Zucker said the center "was definitely very disappointed" on Monday when Orlando matched the offer.

Gortat will remain Dwight Howard's backup with the Magic, while he was expected to see a spike in playing time with the Mavericks.

"It was definitely about the opportunity to find out how good he can really be," Zucker said. "We had requested that Orlando not match the offer. We stated the fact that he sincerely wanted the chance to carve his own path, be his own man, so to speak, which is not going to be realistically possible in Orlando."