Brooklyn Nets Add Frontcourt Depth With Solid Free Agent Signing

A sneaky good signing for the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, as they've reached into free agency to sign 22-year-old undrafted former Portland Trail Blazers forward Trendon Watford to a non-guaranteed standard NBA contract.

Brooklyn signed F Trendon Watford, who averaged 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds for Portland last season.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2023

The numbers, at first glance, don't look eye-popping for Watford—7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds. But the eye test, and the per-36-minute stats all reveal a much more valuable player than most fans realize. 

Love the Trendon Watford addition for the Nets. They could use another guy in the frontcourt and Watford was pretty solid for Portland last year. He's a better-than-you-think playmaker.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 3, 2023

At 6'9", Watford is a solid defender in the frontcourt, and he's a nice playmaker for his size. Per 36 minutes, Watford averaged 14 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He also shot 39% from three-point range. 

Praise continues to come in for the Nets' foresight in signing the former LSU player. 

Trendon Watford drew praise from @ZachLowe_NBA on his "10 NBA Things" column last season:

"Portland has something in Watford. He's providing steady work at PF and as a very undersized center. Watford reads the game and moves his feet well enough to switch some on defense. He…

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) August 3, 2023

It's hard to figure why Portland, a team clearly in a rebuild mode, let this guy go.

Photo: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports