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The Brooklyn Nets welcomed back a potential rotation piece after an extended absence. Trendon Watford made his season debut during Sunday's 114-104 loss to the New York Knicks. He had been sidelined since early in training camp due to a hamstring strain.
Watford posted four points, three rebounds and three assists on 1-of-3 shooting in 13 minutes. Head coach Jordi Fernandez had a simple message for the 23-year-old ahead of his first game action of 2024-25.
“I told him just don't overthink it. Just focus on doing the right things,” Fernandez said. “When you’re open shoot it. Get to your spots. Defensivel, pressure the ball. Don't be too focused on, ‘Am I going to make shots?' I don't care about that. Just feel good. You're going to help the team, whatever the minutes are.”
Watford is entering his second season with the Nets after signing a $2.7 million qualifying offer this summer. At 6-foot-8 with impressive ball-handling ability, he adds a versatile depth piece to Brooklyn's rotation.
Trendon Watford could step into expanded role this season with Nets
Watford saw a role change with the Nets in 2023-24. After playing his first two NBA seasons as a small-ball five with the Portland Trail Blazers, he transitioned to a point-forward role. He impressed during limited opportunities, averaging 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 52.7 percent shooting in 13.6 minutes per game.
“I learned how to play a lot of different positions [last season]. I was on-ball a lot and sort of at the point a lot. I just learned that I can do it,” Watford said at media day. “That was my first year playing on-ball that much since college. I came in as a rookie as a five then transitioned to a four as time went on, and then last year was my first year sort of playing the point… Just feeling comfortable within myself and within my game. Just playing off the guys that are here. I felt comfortable doing that, and I look forward to doing it again this year.”
The second-year Net presents an additional ball-handling option alongside Dennis Schroder, Ben Simmons and Cam Thomas this season. However, he told ClutchPoints he can play any position Fernandez needs him to.
“I'm just kind of everything,” Watford said of his role. “Today, I was playing the point a lot; I came in for Schroder. You never know what next game might bring. So I'm just trying not to put myself in a box… Sort of just be a Swiss army knife for this team and play wherever Jordi wants me to play.”
Trendon Watford told me he sees himself as a "swiss army knife" for the Nets positionally:
"I'm just kind of everything. Today I was playing the point a lot. You never know what next game might bring. I'm just trying to not put myself in a box." pic.twitter.com/Gj23K6WOHA
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) November 18, 2024
Watford's most impactful stretch in 2023-24 came at the end of the season. He averaged 12.9 points and 2.2 assists on 54 percent shooting while seeing expanded minutes over his final 11 appearances. The forward showed promise as a three-point threat during that span, shooting 44.0 percent on 2.3 attempts per game.
Watford upped his three-point volume and efficiency during his first season with the Nets. He shot 39.7 percent on 2.9 attempts per 36 minutes after shooting 33.3 percent on 1.8 attempts per 36 minutes over two seasons with the Blazers. His continued development as a floor-spacer will be crucial if he hopes to carve out a long-term NBA role.
This season will be an extended audition for Watford ahead of his unrestricted free agency this summer. His next opportunity will come at home against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday before the Nets depart for a four-game road trip with matchups against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.
