The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t make a big splash this offseason, but they did make an under-the-radar signing in Trendon Watford. However, fans will have to wait a while before Philadelphia’s prime free agency acquisition takes the floor.
Nick Nurse told PHLY Sports after training on Tuesday that Watford has done preliminary work and believes he still needs to make progress before he can take part in live-action practice segments. The 76ers have announced this Watford suffered from a tight hamstring on September 28 and has yet to play in the preseason.
Watford is falling behind
Philadelphia’s power forward depth chart was questionable heading into training camp and remains uncertain a week after the season opener against the Boston Celtics. Although Watford will play a role ahead of his return, his injury prevented him from using pre-season to get used to the 76ers’ way of working.
However, Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker auditioned well during the first three exhibitions in Philadelphia. Barlow recorded 12 points and nine rebounds, six of them offensive, in Philadelphia’s 128-98 loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday. Walker has recorded at least seven points in the preseason so far. Barlow has the most compelling argument for cracking the 76ers’ rotation, but the starting power forward position remains up for grabs.
Watford has a chance to supplement Joel Embiid in Philadelphia’s starting lineup, but it’s fair to assume that Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. lead the race. George is the best option because of his floor spacing and defensive versatility. At the same time, Oubre is probably more in favor of Nurse given his two-year tenure compared to Watford’s status as a newcomer.
Watford is worth the wait
Either way, Watford offers something Philadelphia otherwise lacks in the four: playmaking. Between his floor vision and ball handling, Watford has become more of an attacker in his four-year career. Last season, he posted a 13% potential assist rating with the Brooklyn Nets, which ranked in the 91st percentile in the NBA according to DataBallr.
Watford’s connecting passing should entice the 76ers to use him as a screener, especially in short-roll situations. His ability to read the floor while sliding off the screen will increase movement and sustenance in Philadelphia’s offense. Watford could also excel in dribble handoffs with the 76ers’ variety of ballhandlers, allowing Nurse to experiment quite a bit.
However, he has shot 34.9% from beyond the arc and posted 3.6 rebounds per game during his career, which weakens his position as a starter as Philadelphia’s frontcourt requires ample space and rebounding.
The 76ers signed a two-year/$5.3 million contract with Watford on July 2 and his status for Friday’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves has yet to be announced.
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