The Brooklyn Nets are playing their fifth contest of the 2024-25 season against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The Nets' injury report has a few key contributors listed on it, including Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton. However, a positive development has come to light on third-year forward Trendon Watford.
Watford has yet to make his season debut due to a left hamstring strain he battled in training camp. His status has not been upgraded through the first four games of Brooklyn's campaign. Yet, head coach Jordi Fernandez provided a hopeful update on Watford's progression before Wednesday's Grizzlies game.
Fernandez said Watford is "doing great," "everything is going as planned," and the Nets expect him to be back soon, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
Hopefully, Watford can continue to undergo a safe and efficient recovery period.
This is positive news for a young Brooklyn team that can use all the depth it can get. Watford proved himself as a promising offensive weapon during the 2023-24 season. In 63 regular season appearances, Watford averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds on a career-high 39.7 percent three-point shooting clip.
Opposing teams have to keep tabs on Watford from beyond the arc because he will not hesitate to make them pay, as seen in clips of his 2024 highlights below:
When Watford returns healthy, Brooklyn will be even more versatile than they already are.
How will Trendon Watford's return affect Nets' rotation?
At 6-foot-8 , Watford can play small forward, power forward, and can even slide in at small-ball center when needed. This means a singular player's playing time may not be as heavily impacted once the forward returns to the lineup.
Still, the small forward and power forward slots are taken up by Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Ben Simmons, sometimes Noah Clowney, and the rapidly ascending Ziaire Williams. Thus, it may be hard for Watford to get some of the opportunities he received during the 2023-24 season. However, with Simmons' lackluster scoring showing through the first part of 2024-25, Watford could take some of the former All-Star's minutes.
The key thing Watford provides over Simmons is floor spacing. At the same time, the Nets would lose some of their playmaking with Simmons getting decreased touches.
Jordi Fernandez will likely experiment with Watford in the second unit once he comes back. How Watford looks upon his return will determine how large of a role he gets with Brooklyn.
The positive thing about navigating these rotation issues is the Nets have plenty of options and talent.