After winning their first four games to start the season, the Philadelphia 76ers have cooled off, losing three of their last four outings to fall to 5-3 through eight games. While that is still a good start all things considered, this recent stretch of theirs falls far short of the kind of basketball they have shown consistently to kickstart their campaign.
However, the 76ers have not been bereft of silver linings. One of those bright spots as of late despite their current brutal stretch is none other than Trendon Watford, who has given the team a much-needed boost on offense — an impressive feat given that he himself is coming off a rather long layoff due to injuries which kept him out of action since before the preseason.
Watford has scored 40 points in his last three games across 67 minutes of gameplay, which is a remarkable figure for a player still trying to find his footing on his new ball club. He has given the 76ers a new flavor in the frontcourt, and it is sure to come in valuable as the season progresses.
The 76ers have gotten a lot of value from Trendon Watford early on
Signed almost immediately after Guerschon Yabusele headed elsewhere in free agency, Watford was expected to bring his versatile game to Philly after an impressive season with the Brooklyn Nets. And true to that fact, he has delivered the goods and then some.
Watford has capably filled in as the team’s go-to option at forward off the bench. Aside from the scoring boost he has given the team, he has been a very reliable conduit on the offensive end as a playmaking hub, arming the squad with some much-needed connective passing to make the scoring attack that much more seamless.
Watford is up to 3.8 assists per outing in just 19.4 minutes on average, which is a lofty mark for a player who has not had much time to get actual on-court reps with this group.
Aside from Joel Embiid, the 76ers have not had a power forward or center with that kind of versatility as a scorer, defender, and passer like Watford for years already. That makes his contract one of the best ones in the league, and it will only continue aging like fine wine.
While not every game is going to be a standout night from Trendon Watford, the 76ers can rest easy knowing that they finally have a complementary forward who does everything needed from a utility man. He has filled that role admirably thus far, and with the team still carving an identity of its own, he figures to bolster whatever style this roster leans into given his sheer versatility.