Magic, Matt Barnes Agree on 2-Year Deal

Despite advancing all the way to the NBA Finals last season, the Orlando Magic have been one of the most active teams of the summer, staring the luxury tax in the face while pulling off a blockbuster trade (Vince Carter) and fearlessly investing in youth (Brandon Bass and Marcin Gortat).

On Monday, the team solidified its depth, coming to terms on a two-year deal with the versatile Matt Barnes, who's coming off a career season with the Phoenix Suns. The deal, first reported by ESPN's Marc Stein, hasn't been officially announced but was confirmed by the Orlando Sentinel via a text message from Aaron Goodwin, Barnes' agent.

It's not yet clear how much Barnes will make, but the Magic did have roughly $1.9 million of their midlevel exception remaining after signing Bass to a four-year, $16 million deal.

Barnes started 40 games for the Suns last year, posting career marks by averaging 27.0 minutes, 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Capable of manning the two and the three, he'll likely serve as the backup for both Vince Carter and Mickael Pietrus. The ability to hit an open three is virtually a prerequisite on this roster, and Barnes can help in that regard, as well: he shot 34.3% from long distance last season.

Are the Magic done making moves? Perhaps not. FanHouse's Tim Povtak reported last week the team was close to signing Warriors restricted free agent C.J. Watson to an offer sheet, and Marcus Thompson II of the Oakland Tribune reported last night that Watson spent Monday negotiating with the Magic.

It's unclear whether signing Barnes and Watson was an either/or proposition for the Magic, but if the team is still interested in Watson, they'll likely be limited to offering the bi-annual exception, worth slightly more than $4.1 million over two years have to pull a rabbit out of a hat. (Fixed: Orlando signed Anthony Johnson to the bi-annual exception last year, so they can't even offer that. Sign and trade with Golden State perhaps?)

Thompson reports that Watson was originally seeking a three-year deal, but Watson may not have a better offer on the table. Whatever he settles on, it's unlikely the Warriors will stand in his way by matching an offer sheet, not after drafting combo guard Stephen Curry and trading for Acie Law.