Free Agent Hello Trendon Watford

Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Register Log in
If he could just get a little touch on offense. I like his hustle.
 
twobullz said:
If he could just get a little touch on offense. I like his hustle.
Click to expand...

yeah I have no idea what he brings offensively, it’s obvious he’s going out of his way not to hunt shots. But from his college tape seems the floater is his best shot, so I think he probably does have touch we just haven’t seen it yet. I don’t think I’ve seen him take one jumper either.
 
Happy about his development. I still don't think he's good enough to be in the rotation, yet (even though he is because of injuries).
I'm hopeful that next year, he will be good enough to be actually earn a spot in the rotation.

Great 2-way signing.
 
Wizard Mentor said:
Happy about his development. I still don't think he's good enough to be in the rotation, yet (even though he is because of injuries).
I'm hopeful that next year, he will be good enough to be actually earn a spot in the rotation.

Great 2-way signing.
Click to expand...
I think he has earned his spot. Could’ve gone to Brown.
 
Btw- is he still on a 2-way? Does that mean he has to play some of his time at G League? Can we give him a real contract?
 
KSF-ERIC said:
Could you explain to me what a 2-way means? Can he play out the rest of the season?
Click to expand...
It's my understanding that the two way rules that usually apply are that a guy on a two way contract can only play a certain number of games but I'm pretty sure that just like last season, due to COVID, the two way players have no games restrictions.
 
Let’s see, what are we looking for from a starting four, ideally.

Size- check
Defense- check
Rebounding- check
Inside scoring- check
Spacing/Shooting- nope, but his playmaking creates space. He’s also a good free throw shooter and has shown signs he can eventually knock down threes.
 
Scalma said:
Let’s see, what are we looking for from a starting four, ideally.

Size- check
Defense- check
Rebounding- check
Inside scoring- check
Spacing/Shooting- nope, but his playmaking creates space. He’s also a good free throw shooter and has shown signs he can eventually knock down threes.
Click to expand...
He still seems so...awkward... out there, and yet still makes things happen. I dunno if awkward is the right word. But I think he's someone that has a lot of it there mentally, one of those guys who is waiting for it to all slow down for him that we see from young players in 2nd and 3rd seasons. I'm really excited to see what a professional offseason of conditioning and training will do for him. He's taken definite strides as an undrafted unheralded rookie.
 
RR7 said:
He still seems so...awkward... out there, and yet still makes things happen. I dunno if awkward is the right word. But I think he's someone that has a lot of it there mentally, one of those guys who is waiting for it to all slow down for him that we see from young players in 2nd and 3rd seasons. I'm really excited to see what a professional offseason of conditioning and training will do for him. He's taken definite strides as an undrafted unheralded rookie.
Click to expand...

I just hope his play forces them to keep their pick(s) instead of trading it for Grant. Now if we can get Siakam or someone on that level that’s different. But I’m comfortable with Winslow and Watford at the four otherwise. Let’s see what they can do with everyone else healthy.
 
Scalma said:
I just hope his play forces them to keep their pick(s) instead of trading it for Grant. Now if we can get Siakam or someone on that level that’s different. But I’m comfortable with Winslow and Watford at the four otherwise. Let’s see what they can do with everyone else healthy.
Click to expand...
I still want him strictly as a bench 4 next year, let him continue to grow from there. I'll take a year of Grant ahead of him. I want a 4 like Grant that can cover wings, and I feel watford is more a 4 leaning 5
 
I’ve come to the conclusion that he compares the best to pretty much any European in the league lol. Straight fundamentals, with an awkward, non athletic looking play style. But he’s actually athletic in his own way (coordinated with good deceleration, which can be just as much of a skill as acceleration) Watch Doncic and Jokic and you’ll see it. Neither looks or plays athletic but they both get to wherever they want without much trouble, and it’s not just because of their size.

Idk what Trendons ceiling is, but he’s now Watforić to me.
 
Last edited:
He uses his lower body (like Bottom did) and he knows how to old fashion back his guy down.
He blocks out well too. Has Brian Grant motor.
 
Scalma said:
I’ve come to the conclusion that he compares the best to pretty much any European in the league lol. Straight fundamentals, with an awkward, non athletic looking play style. But he’s actually athletic in his own way (coordinated with good deceleration, which can be just as much of a skill as acceleration) Watch Doncic and Jokic and you’ll see it. Neither looks or plays athletic but they both get to wherever they want without much trouble, and it’s not just because of their size.

Idk what Trendons ceiling is, but he’s now Watforić to me.
Click to expand...
Elleby could use a little of that deceleration.
 
Scalma said:
it’s like watching a crackhead play basketball.
Click to expand...
At least no one can ever question his motor. His effort level will not be the thing that ends his career. Haha
 
Here's my look at Watford.
He has shown some flashes this year where he has been good. He seems to be getting into the flow of games well. Looks like he is a player that can be coached well and Billups seems to have his ear. He's still raw obviously as he has only really played 40 games and of those only started 2. That kind of tells me even the coaches are starting to come around on him. His best game yet has been when he started against the Wizards. That was kind of a funny game though. Watford is listed as a Small Forward and Chauncy started him as a Power Forward with a three guard lineup playing Williams, Hart and Elleby.
Watford at this point is a project. He has just over 600 mins played and probably needs about 1000 more before we know what we actually have IMO. What i see is a guy who is a bit slow to honestly play SF and a little small to play PF but he plays bigger as he is 240 lbs. He's going to keep growing and getting stronger. He is no threat at all from 3 yet. He might be able to improve there but it doesn't look like that will happen any time soon?
Advanced stats are acceptable but could improve. He is -1.4 BPM but his total shooting is good. He scores really well around the basket. For the most part his Advanced Stats are not really enough to show where he could be in a year or two.
He plays defense and his hands get on the ball but he is not a shot blocker and he doesn't really get a bunch of steals. Rebounding needs to improve if he is going to play PF.

I just don't see all the hype for this guy? At this point it seems like he has a place on the team but will be at the end of the bench on a team trying to make a run in the playoffs. He can't stretch the floor and will not replace Little at the SF position. A PF needs to be able to hit a three and he can't do that YET. He is the beneficiary of playing on a team that is tanking so he will continue to get some time. The good thing here is that he needs this and the Blazers are giving him what he needs.
 
Fairly-Hard said:
Here's my look at Watford.
He has shown some flashes this year where he has been good. He seems to be getting into the flow of games well. Looks like he is a player that can be coached well and Billups seems to have his ear. He's still raw obviously as he has only really played 40 games and of those only started 2. That kind of tells me even the coaches are starting to come around on him. His best game yet has been when he started against the Wizards. That was kind of a funny game though. Watford is listed as a Small Forward and Chauncy started him as a Power Forward with a three guard lineup playing Williams, Hart and Elleby.
Watford at this point is a project. He has just over 600 mins played and probably needs about 1000 more before we know what we actually have IMO. What i see is a guy who is a bit slow to honestly play SF and a little small to play PF but he plays bigger as he is 240 lbs. He's going to keep growing and getting stronger. He is no threat at all from 3 yet. He might be able to improve there but it doesn't look like that will happen any time soon?
Advanced stats are acceptable but could improve. He is -1.4 BPM but his total shooting is good. He scores really well around the basket. For the most part his Advanced Stats are not really enough to show where he could be in a year or two.
He plays defense and his hands get on the ball but he is not a shot blocker and he doesn't really get a bunch of steals. Rebounding needs to improve if he is going to play PF.

I just don't see all the hype for this guy? At this point it seems like he has a place on the team but will be at the end of the bench on a team trying to make a run in the playoffs. He can't stretch the floor and will not replace Little at the SF position. A PF needs to be able to hit a three and he can't do that YET. He is the beneficiary of playing on a team that is tanking so he will continue to get some time. The good thing here is that he needs this and the Blazers are giving him what he needs.
Click to expand...
I agree with most of this. Fair evaluation. I can't speak for anyone else, but the reason I have some hope for this guy, or why I think he will work out is his ability to drive and dish as a big. That is the wrinkle in his game that makes me take a second look. We have seen how effective it can be having a big guy/defender be able to run some half court offense via Draymond for all these years. Not saying Watford is the next Green. At all. But, his skill set appears to be in a similar mold.
 
Scalma said:
I just hope his play forces them to keep their pick(s) instead of trading it for Grant. Now if we can get Siakam or someone on that level that’s different. But I’m comfortable with Winslow and Watford at the four otherwise. Let’s see what they can do with everyone else healthy.
Click to expand...

Yeah I hope we don't trade picks for Grant. I'm leaning towards believing in the next few years Grant on his contract has less value than Watford on his contract.

Now if we get Grant for a TPE or scraps sure I'm fine seeing if he can make improvements in a new environment. But that is not worth giving up a lottery or even mid first round pick.
 
Fairly-Hard said:
Here's my look at Watford.
He has shown some flashes this year where he has been good. He seems to be getting into the flow of games well. Looks like he is a player that can be coached well and Billups seems to have his ear. He's still raw obviously as he has only really played 40 games and of those only started 2. That kind of tells me even the coaches are starting to come around on him. His best game yet has been when he started against the Wizards. That was kind of a funny game though. Watford is listed as a Small Forward and Chauncy started him as a Power Forward with a three guard lineup playing Williams, Hart and Elleby.
Watford at this point is a project. He has just over 600 mins played and probably needs about 1000 more before we know what we actually have IMO. What i see is a guy who is a bit slow to honestly play SF and a little small to play PF but he plays bigger as he is 240 lbs. He's going to keep growing and getting stronger. He is no threat at all from 3 yet. He might be able to improve there but it doesn't look like that will happen any time soon?
Advanced stats are acceptable but could improve. He is -1.4 BPM but his total shooting is good. He scores really well around the basket. For the most part his Advanced Stats are not really enough to show where he could be in a year or two.
He plays defense and his hands get on the ball but he is not a shot blocker and he doesn't really get a bunch of steals. Rebounding needs to improve if he is going to play PF.

I just don't see all the hype for this guy? At this point it seems like he has a place on the team but will be at the end of the bench on a team trying to make a run in the playoffs. He can't stretch the floor and will not replace Little at the SF position. A PF needs to be able to hit a three and he can't do that YET. He is the beneficiary of playing on a team that is tanking so he will continue to get some time. The good thing here is that he needs this and the Blazers are giving him what he needs.
Click to expand...

The fan excitement is because the team got him for nothing. If the team had used a top5 lottery pick on him fans would be disappointed. Instead, he seems like he could be a useful bench role player.

If he can just be a slightly below average player but on his super cheap contract then that allows the Blazers to allocate the rest of the salary cap to better starters or youth with higher upside.

The problem with a player like Grant on a huge max deal is he has to be one of the teams 3 best players or there is no way to build a contender out of this roster. Watford could contribute to building a contending roster with tons of other possible players fitting into the roster.

Even if Watford becomes a total bust and worthless, his contract is small so it won't set the team back too much. If a player like Grant underperforms, there is basically no way for the franchise to recover and build a contender. Similar to signed Evan Turner to a massive contract, maybe we can win a playoff series, but we could never contend with that roster construction.
 
WesleyMatthews said:
The fan excitement is because the team got him for nothing. If the team had used a top5 lottery pick on him fans would be disappointed. Instead, he seems like he could be a useful bench role player.
Click to expand...
If I’m correct he was picked 17th? Not top 10 but he did go pretty high. I would say he was picked about right?
 
Fairly-Hard said:
What I see is a guy who is a bit slow to honestly play SF and a little small to play PF but he plays bigger as he is 240 lbs. He's going to keep

I just don't see all the hype for this guy? At this point it seems like he has a place on the team but will be at the end of the bench on a team trying to make a run in the playoffs. He can't stretch the floor and will not replace Little at the SF position. A PF needs to be able to hit a three and he can't do that YET. He is the beneficiary of playing on a team that is tanking so he will continue to get some time. The good thing here is that he needs this and the Blazers are giving him what he needs.
Click to expand...

I am not so sure I would agree with him being "raw" at this point. He was a McDonald HS all American (2x Mr.Basketball in Alabama) In college he was:
  • First-team All-SEC – AP (2021)
  • Second-team All-SEC – Coaches (2021)
  • SEC All-Freshman Team (2020)
So for a rookie I don't view him as raw, just a rookie who like all rookies needs time to adjust to the next level. IMO he was not drafted because at 6'8" the scouts thought he was a tweener. But a PF in the 240 range is not small these days. And his 7'2" 1/4 wing is decent as well.

I agree that he needs a 3 pt shot to be more effective, but he must be improving in that area or the coaches would not be encouraging him to take more. His stroke looks good. And his floater or whatever that push shot he has is a pretty good weapon in the paint. But as many have mentioned it is his handles as a PF that are so intriguing. Watford will not be a star by any means but he looks to be a very good complementary piece that you can match with almost anyone on the floor.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top