The final loose end on the Philadelphia 76ers roster has finally tied itself up, but not in the way fans hoped. Trendon Watford is heading to New Orleans instead of staying in the city where he found his rhythm. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the forward signed a one-year, $2.9 million deal with the Pelicans. This move clears the books for Philly while giving Watford a fresh start in a new system.
A Locker Room Loss for Philly
Watford was more than just a bench player; he was a glue guy who kept the team tight. He was a close friend of Tyrese Maxey and brought energy that mattered when the games got tough. In his lone season with the Sixers, he played 53 games and averaged 16.3 minutes per night. He even dropped a triple-double as a starter early in the year. That kind of chemistry is hard to replace with a cold signing.
Yet, the stats show why the team let him walk. His shooting struggles and defensive lapses made it hard for him to stay in the rotation as the season wore on. He finished with 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. These numbers are solid for a role player, but they did not scream “must-keep” for a team with championship hopes. The Sixers needed to move forward, even if it meant losing a popular figure.
Health Issues Held Him Back
The real story here is the injury timeline that derailed his potential in Philadelphia. Missing the season’s beginning resulted from a strained hamstring, while an adductor strain removed a healthy chunk of the year’s middle. These soft tissue issues kept him from building the consistency he needed to earn a bigger contract. He simply could not stay on the court long enough to prove he was the answer.
Despite the injuries, he remained a productive two-way option when healthy. The Pelicans saw a player who could still contribute late into the offseason. This is a productive two-way get for New Orleans after they watched him struggle elsewhere. For Watford, it was a chance to prove he belongs in the NBA again after rumors of a move to Spain started to swirl.
Rejecting the Overseas Rumors
There was real talk that Watford’s next opportunity would come overseas, specifically in Europe. Earlier this month, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com stated that Valencia Basket in Spain was close to signing a deal with Watford. That would have been a huge shift for a player who just spent a year in the NBA. But Watford shut down those rumors pretty quickly on social media.
He wrote on X, “false news you guys .. don’t believe everything you see 🤣🤣.” That tweet showed he wanted to stay in the league no matter what. Now he has a deal to remain in the NBA instead of leaving the country. The Sixers get a clean cap sheet, and Watford gets a chance to restart his career with a team that values his specific skill set. It is a fair trade for both sides.
