Trendon Watford was a vital player for the Portland Trail Blazers over the past two seasons, but he’s not getting the same minutes with the Brooklyn Nets. It was surprising because Trendon can impact either as a power forward or a small-ball center.
Coach Jacque Vaughn is high on Watford, but his rotation involves multiple power forwards and centers. That means the former LSU Tiger can’t get minutes, even though Coach Vaughn wants him to get some burn at times.
“It’s a matter of minutes and then the combinations you can have out there on the floor for me. You can see he’s probably most effective when he has the basketball in his hands,” Vaughn said to Nets Daily’s Lucas Kaplan when asked about Trendon’s potential role with the Nets.
“The combinations around him have to be like on point for him to be maximized. That’s always gonna be the challenge. High IQ guy but again, the shooting combinations and the other guys around him become essential.”
Trendon should be given more chances
Based on Vaughn’s assessment of Watford, the 6’8” forward might’ve been boxed in as a backup ball-handler, even when he can contribute in other areas like his time with the Trail Blazers. His play in Portland showed Watford was in the pick-and-roll where he thrived as a secondary playmaker alongside Damian Lillard.
The 23-year-old was effective in that role as he’s a tremendous playmaker in the short-roll. He can find his teammates at the dunker’s spot or kick out to the open man beyond the arc. He also has a soft touch with his floater, which gets efficient points.
Trendon stays ready
Despite the lack of minutes, Trendon remains ready for any opportunity. Nets fans have seen this any time someone goes down with an injury, and Watford is the emergency backup. He has an impressive feel for the game and good chemistry with his teammates.
With the All-Star break coming up, Coach Vaughn should try figuring out ways to integrate the former LSU Tiger into his rotation because he is a net positive every time he plays. Trendon is a valuable player in transition, half-court sets, and a developing three-point threat, shooting 34.4% from beyond the arc.
The Nets are looking for the best squad, and when given the opportunity, Trendon will do his best to crack that rotation.
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