The craziest thing happened Saturday night. The Nets released their injury report ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Knicks at Madison Square Garden and Trendon Watford was not on it. That means the forward should be available to make his season debut.
Watford suffered a hamstring strain in training camp and has yet to appear in a game this season. He came dangerously close to playing against the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 1 but suffered a setback in warmups and was a late scratch. He did not travel with the team to Boston, Cleveland or New Orleans.
The 24-year-old signed a one-year deal to remain with the Nets in July. And now that his road to recovery is complete, he can once again showcase his versatility and work toward earning a long-term deal in Brooklyn. He has already got plenty of mental reps in Jordi Fernandez’s system and knows how he will fit in.
“He wants to play fast and wants to play fast on both ends,” Watford said. “Just being able to pick the energy up and pick the defense up on the defensive side. He wants to run so that benefits me and being able to use my versatility, bring the ball up and run the floor, and do what I can. So, just find my way and just find my moves.”
Watford averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 63 appearances last season while shooting 52.7% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range. And while he played inconsistent minutes throughout the first half of last season, he broke out down the stretch, averaging 12.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game over his final 11 appearances.
With Nic Claxton ruled out for at least the next week because of a lower back strain and Day’Ron Sharpe still nursing a left hamstring strain, Watford’s return comes at an ideal time. The Nets need all the size they can get. Watford’s size, coupled with strong playmaking for a 6-8 player, should bolster the team’s frontcourt immediately.
“It’s good having another big guard out there, a big wing,” Claxton said. “It’s always good having size. And you know, he can affect the game in a lot of different ways, handling the ball, defending. So definitely good having our soldier back.”
