The Philadelphia 76ers probably did not envision “backup point guard” as a phrase they would use to describe the role they were going to hand Trendon Watford when they signed him last summer, but given the pressing needs the team has at present which remain unresolved, that has been a rather accurate descriptor of what the coaching staff has demanded out of him.
Standing at 6’8” and 237 pounds, Watford is a true and blue forward. But thanks to the team missing competent guard play off the bench outside of Quentin Grimes (who has likewise been struggling himself), Nick Nurse and his staff have decided to trot him out as the nominal play caller in the second unit. More impressively, he has been more than serviceable in that role, arming the squad with a capable ball handler without needing to make a new signing.
Make no mistake — the 76ers still badly need a point guard to shore up their depth in the backcourt. But for now, Watford has been capable enough of a ball handler to keep the engine running off the bench when Tyrese Maxey takes a breather.
Trendon Watford has given the 76ers a fresh look off the bench
In just over 16 minutes a night, Watford has registered nearly three assists per game. It is pretty obvious that he is one of the better passers on the team. He has always been a willing passer since coming to the league, so it is definitely an intuitive decision on the part of the coaching staff to reinstate him into the rotation and have him handle the rock as a de facto guard.
Watford averages 7.8 assists per 100 possessions, a figure that ranks second on the 76ers, trailing only Tyrese Maxey. But aside from the boost he provides in the playmaking department, there are other clear benefits to having him man the point on the interim.
He is a good rebounder for his position, and his outside shot is respectable enough to punish defenses from time to time. When he plays the point, the 76ers have more legroom to play bigger out in the perimeter, which helps them offer more resistance on the defensive end.
Now, this is most likely not going to be the long-term solution for the 76ers, but giving Trendon Watford another chance in the rotation and taking advantage of his strengths as a passer is definitely a savvy decision that gives the team a fresh look off the bench. Hopefully, he keeps killing it in his new role.