Trendon Watford entered the Philadelphia 76ers’ game against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday having career averages of 7.9 points per game, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Just 48 minutes later, he set three career-highs.
Watford has played six games this season and his versatility should earn him the 76ers’ starting power forward spot. He started against Toronto and posted his first career triple-double of 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, with the last two categories being career-bests as well. Philadelphia aimed to play a faster, free-flowing offense and Watford epitomizes it.
Watford’s wackiness
Watford isn’t a typical four as he’s someone who fits more of the “point forward” archetype and it has served the 76ers well. Philadelphia holds a 125.5 offensive rating when he’s playing, which would rank first in the NBA by 2.8 points per 100 possessions.
Watford’s feel for the game has boosted the 76ers’ ball movement and off-ball activity. He averages 13.1 potential assists per 100 possessions, which are passes that would’ve been assists if his teammate made the shot. This mark ranks in the 92nd percentile throughout the league.
Watford has kept Philadelphia’s offense in motion with connective passes, finding cutters and initiating dribble handoffs. His unique talents greatly contributed to Tyrese Maxey’s success against the Raptors as Watford assisted on 14 of Maxey’s game-high 31 points.
Watford also practices what he preaches.
His off-ball repertoire consists of back-door cuts and setting ghost screens for ball-handlers with the intent to put the defender off balance. His transition play is just as riveting. He has a knack for finding players leaking out or scoring it himself if the opportunity is right. This is a luxury for the 76ers, who rank 15th in the NBA in pace as they look to increase that number.
Watford can do it himself too
At six-foot-nine-inches and 240 pounds, Watford is an effective slasher, whether he’s diving to the rim or taking advantage of mismatches. His strength serves him well off the dribble, which paves scoring chances or commands a double team.
Hoisting career averages of 35.5% shooting from three and 3.7 rebounds per game, some were skeptical about Philadelphia’s signing him on July 2nd. However, Watford is on pace to eliminate those narratives as he’s shooting 57.1% from deep on 1.2 attempts per game and delivered 17 rebounds against the Raptors. While the sample sizes are low, it’s encouraging to see such output.
Dominick Barlow started at power forward in two games played before suffering a right elbow laceration against the Charlotte Hornets on October 25th. Philadelphia then cycled in Justin Edwards and Jabari Walker as Watford debuted versus the Washington Wizards on October 28th and ramped up.
Now, it appears that Watford has and should secure a place in the starting lineup, at least until Paul George returns from his left knee injury recovery.