There’s no professional sport in the world that brings crazier offseasons than the NBA.
Because of that, sometimes moves slip through the cracks, even for people like me who cover the league. I assumed this was the case for Trendon Watford, who had his team option declined by the Philadelphia 76ers at the start of free agency, but to my surprise, Watford remains unsigned. This shocked me while I was scanning Spotrac’s remaining free agent pool this morning, because he had a strong year for Philly, is just 25 years old, and is very versatile.
For a Toronto Raptors team that is in dire need of some help in their frontcourt, Watford should be someone they aggressively pursue in the late stages of free agency. Watford spent last season on a minimum contract, averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in just under 17 minutes per game.
Given that Philly declined his option, they clearly didn’t feel his production over 53 games was worth a minimum contract. But I’m not sure how many 6-foot-8 forwards can play both frontcourt spots, fill up the stat sheet the way he does, and still shoot 51.5 percent from the floor. The Raptors need some frontcourt play, and Watford could provide that on a massive discount.
Trendon Watford checks more boxes than any remaining free agent
The immediate pushback fans may have about signing a player like Watford is that Toronto has a ton of these 6-foot-8, 6-foot-9 forwards and doesn’t need any more. And if the Raptors want to add to the frontcourt, they should be looking for size. I agree and totally get it, but I also implore you to look at the remaining free agent center pool and find me the player who provides more value at their price than Watford.
Although Watford has never spent an entire season playing center and isn’t a high-level rim protector, he has regularly logged minutes at the five throughout all of his stops. Putting him alongside Collin Murray-Boyles off the bench, they would check enough boxes to counter most center matchups on a nightly basis.
Back to the player and his style. With Watford, the Raptors wouldn’t be getting just one thing or the other, as his strongest trait is versatility. At his size, it’s rare to find role players who do it all, as Watford is a strong play finisher, rebounder, can handle, has a soft touch, defends the perimeter, and has really strong playmaking chops. In five of his 53 games, Watford recorded six or more assists, one of which came against Toronto on November 8.
The majority of Raptors fans probably learned who Watford was that night as he exploded for 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists with only one turnover, leading Philly to a 10-point win.
That performance against Toronto last season sums up exactly why I like Watford so much. Having players who check all these different boxes and can fit into whatever role is asked of them on a nightly basis has never provided more value in the NBA.
Given the current makeup of the center market, it’s safe to assume the Raptors will likely deploy a win-by-committee approach at their backup five spot next season. With Watford’s market looking dry, signing him on a minimum contract is exactly the type of low-risk move the Raptors should be making to round out their frontcourt.
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