Coming into the 2025 offseason, the Sixers weren’t expected to make much noise. They had already made their big splash the previous summer by signing Paul George, and apart from working on re-signing Quentin Grimes (still ongoing), their options were limited. Still, there was room to improve around the margins, and we saw that immediately with their first move: signing Trendon Watford to a two-year minimum contract with a team option.
Casual NBA fans might only remember Watford as a rotation player
from the Damian Lillard-era Trail Blazers or last season’s rebuilding Brooklyn Nets. A former LSU Tiger, he entered the league as an undrafted player — an unorthodox path — but he has maximized every opportunity. At just 24, his best basketball likely lies ahead.
It’s no accident that Watford was Philadelphia’s first free-agent pickup. The Sixers made it a priority to reach out and bring him aboard, and on paper, it makes perfect sense. With Guerschon Yabusele, the team’s only true power forward, departing in free agency, the Sixers badly needed size, rebounding, and defensive toughness at the position. Watford checks all those boxes, but what makes him especially valuable is the versatility he adds beyond that, which helps explain why the Sixers moved quickly to secure him.
Watford is an intriguing archetype: a forward capable of handling the ball and creating for others, somewhat reminiscent of Kyle Anderson. That’s a skill set Nick Nurse will surely lean into. Last season, Tyrese Maxey was asked to shoulder nearly everything on offense — scoring at a high level while also serving as the team’s primary playmaker. While Maxey has made real strides in distributing, relying on him to carry that heavy of a load isn’t a recipe for long-term success, especially for a team with playoff ambitions.
There’s also statistical evidence suggesting that Maxey is more efficient and plays better when used off the ball. We didn’t see much of that last season, but every year before supports the trend. That’s where Watford’s value becomes even clearer. Fewer dribbles for Maxey means greater long-term success — for both him and the team.
Watford can take some of that burden by bringing the ball up the floor, without sacrificing the qualities the Sixers desperately need around their guard-heavy core: size, athleticism, and rebounding.
So, we’ve established the qualities that should keep Watford on the floor as a featured part of the Sixers moving forward. But what could potentially hold him back? It really comes down to one key area: shooting.
For his career (217 regular-season games), Watford has shot 34.9 percent from three-point range, which on the surface seems respectable. However, that number comes on very low volume — just 1.2 attempts per game in 17.6 minutes. There is some evidence, though, that he can be serviceable from deep. Last season with the Nets, he attempted a career-high 2 threes per game and converted at 33 percent. Given the lack of offensive talent around him, that’s a promising sign.
Watford is also a capable free-throw shooter, averaging 76 percent from the charity stripe over his career. At just 24 years old, there is clear room for improvement.
As many of you know, Rico Hines runs have been underway, with Watford playing a prominent role in the scrimmages. While pick-up basketball is different from regular-season games, he has consistently shown the ability to make perimeter shots and knock down threes off the dribble. This could be a promising sign for his development this season.
If Watford can maintain or improve his current shooting rate, it will be difficult to keep him off the floor. He gives the Sixers the size, athleticism, and versatility they need around their guard core and helps bridge the gap between Paul George and Joel Embiid. Don’t be surprised to see him play a significant role in the rotation, or even earn a spot in the starting lineup.
