The Philadelphia 76ers have a lot of work to do in order to restore their footing as one of the best teams in the league, but they do have what it takes to mount a huge comeback next season and prove their naysayers wrong after putting up one of their most disappointing campaigns in franchise history.
Entering the season, the 76ers have a loaded roster once again, although they did allow some key players to walk away for nothing. Most prominent is Guerschon Yabusele, whom the front office questionably lowballed in free agency, culminating in him leaving for one of their most bitter rivals, the New York Knicks.
In a bid to replace the Frenchman, the front office brought in Trendon Watford, who played the last couple of seasons with the Nets. At that time, that move was still overshadowed by the huge loss of Yabusele, but given his contract, he should end up as a sleek replacement for the versatile forward.
In fact, the 24-year-old forward could even be the team's hidden weapon for next season, as he has all the tools he needs to even shake up Nick Nurse's rotation.
The 76ers should unleash Trendon Watford next season
At 6'9", Watford has the perfect frame to play both forward positions and be a malleable role player on both ends of the floor. Size at those areas is something the 76ers have lacked for years, making him a desirable inclusion in the regular rotation.
To start the season off, he may find himself languishing on the bench for a bit, but he should be in play for a bigger role as the year goes on. Paul George, who had surgery this offseason due to a knee injury, is still a question mark heading into camp, while Kelly Oubre Jr. could very well see himself donning new colors pretty soon.
That makes unleashing Watford all the more important for Philly. He is a great utility player who can fill various roles. Offensively, he can be a playmaking forward who can spot up for open three-point shots. On defense, he is a switchable stopper who can latch onto different players of various stylings.
Nick Nurse and the coaching staff will surely love having Watford as an option to complement lineups featuring high-octane scorers. And for that, he may find himself getting slotted in for a much bigger role than fans might have expected when he inked a deal with the franchise.