Trendon Watford’s fourth NBA season was anything but straightforward. Despite injury setbacks and a year of roster instability, Watford proved that he's the kind of low-maintenance, high-upside player every team needs, especially one in the rebuilding process
Watford suited up for just 44 games this season, missing time early and mid-year due to recurring hamstring issues. Still, when available, he delivered a career-best 10.2 points and 2.6 assists per game in around 21 minutes of action. However, beyond the numbers, he was able to showcase some true value: a player who gave the Brooklyn lineup flexibility, offensive creativity, and positional versatility at a bargain price.
Watford did a little bit of everything. Under Nets’ head coach Jordi Fernández. He was used as a point forward, a slashing wing, and even a post-up option against smaller lineups. His ability to flow between roles made him one of the team’s most adaptable pieces, someone who could be plugged into various lineups without disrupting rhythm. In a rotation constantly reshuffled by injury, inconsistency, and experimentation, Watford was one of the few who made the game easier for others. That’s not something to overlook, especially as the front office prepares for a critical offseason.
The perfect plug and play guy
Brooklyn already has major decisions to make, with D’Angelo Russell, Cam Thomas, and Day’Ron Sharpe all eligible for new contracts. Each of those guys brings a unique value to the squad: Russell’s shot creation, Thomas’s scoring punch, and Sharpe’s rebounding and high motor. But with so many mouths to feed (and dollars to allocate), keeping affordable, multipurpose talent becomes even more important. And that’s exactly where Watford fits.
He won’t command a massive deal in free agency. He won’t demand a high-usage role. But what he will do is give Brooklyn a connector, someone who can help run the floor from the frontcourt and provide good depth. Not only that, Watford is a guy who won’t stunt the growth of the other young talent on the team. He is someone who’s comfortable taking two shots a game or ten plus, depending on what the game calls for. That kind of flexibility is rare and valuable on a developing roster.
Yes, there are weaknesses to his game, but at the end of the day nobody is perfect. His defense remains inconsistent, particularly off-ball, and he’s yet to prove he can stay healthy across a full season. But at just 24 years old, the traits that he has are all worth betting on.
The bottom line: Bring him back
As the Nets navigate tough choices this summer, Trendon Watford shouldn’t be overlooked. If Brooklyn wants to build a roster that’s both competitive and flexible, keeping Watford in the fold should be part of that plan.