Trendon Watford’s Versatility is Quietly Becoming a Key Ingredient in the Sixers’ Playoff Push
When the Sixers signed Trendon Watford in free agency, it didn’t exactly send shockwaves through the league. This wasn’t a headline-grabbing move.
But sometimes, it’s the under-the-radar additions that end up making the biggest difference. And right now, Watford is quietly carving out a meaningful role in Philadelphia’s rotation - just in time for a crucial stretch run in the Eastern Conference.
In Saturday night’s 109-103 road win over the Phoenix Suns, Watford didn’t light up the box score - six points, seven boards, two assists, and two blocks - but his impact went beyond the numbers. He played with a calm confidence, showing off the kind of versatility that championship-caliber teams need from their supporting cast.
Tyrese Maxey, who’s quickly become one of the Sixers’ vocal leaders, summed it up best after the game.
“The biggest thing for us is he can handle the ball,” Maxey said. “He’s a connector. We needed that for a long time.”
That word - connector - says a lot. Every contending team needs guys who can bridge the gap between stars and role players, who can keep the offense flowing when the primary creators are off the floor, and who can give the team different looks without disrupting the rhythm. Watford is starting to become that guy for Philly.
Maxey even drew a comparison to Nicolas Batum, who’s been a steady veteran presence, but noted that Watford brings a different flavor.
“[Batum] didn’t handle the ball as much as TWatt does,” Maxey said. “He can do pick-and-roll, he can post, get a bucket down there in the post.”
And that’s the beauty of Watford’s game. He’s not just a spot-up shooter or a hustle guy.
He can initiate offense, run pick-and-rolls, make smart passes, and score with his back to the basket. He’s the kind of player who can fit into multiple lineups and play multiple roles - and that’s gold for a team with playoff aspirations.
“He hasn’t played in the playoffs,” Maxey pointed out. “But those little possessions - when we can throw it to him in the post or he can bring the ball up and play in the pick-and-roll - they’re gonna be needed in certain stints.”
Right now, Watford is still adjusting. He’s had to deal with injuries and inconsistent minutes, and he’s learning what it means to be part of a team with real postseason goals. That’s a different world than his previous stops in Portland and Brooklyn, where development and evaluation often took precedence over wins.
Maxey’s been helping him understand the stakes.
“This is his first time really being on a playoff team,” Maxey said. “I told him, ‘Listen, rotations change.
Stuff changes every single day on a playoff team. Rotation is probably guaranteed four players that’s going to play the same every night - maybe even three sometimes.’”
It’s a real point. Come playoff time, rotations shrink, roles tighten, and coaches lean on trust. That means players like Watford need to stay ready, even when their minutes fluctuate.
“So, it’s like, you gotta be ready,” Maxey added. “Your number will be called.
It’s inevitable, man. You need everybody to win games - especially throughout the regular season.
He did a good job of that.”
For the Sixers, the margin for error is slim. With Joel Embiid sidelined and the East wide open, every contribution matters. And if Watford continues to embrace his role, stay locked in, and bring that all-around toolkit to the floor, he might just become one of the more important X-factors in Philly’s playoff push.
It’s not flashy. It’s not loud. But it’s exactly what the Sixers need.