The Raptors still have a chance to land one of the strangest leftovers in free agency, and Trendon Watford looks like the kind of low-cost swing that makes too much sense to ignore.
Watford is still unsigned after the Philadelphia 76ers declined his team option at the start of free agency, a development that stands out even in an NBA offseason where players can disappear into the market for a while. He’s 25, he had a solid year in Philly, and he brings the kind of versatility that can quietly patch holes for a team that needs frontcourt help.
For Toronto, that matters. The Raptors are in clear need of support up front, and Watford spent last season on a minimum contract while averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in just under 17 minutes per game across 53 games. Philadelphia’s decision to pass on his option says something about how they valued that production, but it doesn’t erase what he offers: a 6-foot-8 forward who can play both frontcourt spots, fill up a box score, and shoot 51.5 percent from the floor.
That combination is hard to find at this stage of the market. And while some fans will look at Toronto’s roster and say the team already has plenty of 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-9 forwards, the bigger issue is the center pool. If the Raptors are hunting for size, the remaining options at the five don’t appear to offer the same value for the price.
Watford isn’t a full-time center, and he’s not a high-level rim protector. But he has spent time at the five across his stops, and that alone gives Toronto some flexibility. Paired with Collin Murray-Boyles off the bench, he could help the Raptors cover enough ground to handle a lot of typical center matchups on a nightly basis.
What makes Watford appealing is that he doesn’t come with just one clean label. He finishes plays, rebounds, handles the ball, has touch, can defend on the perimeter, and brings real playmaking ability. In five of his 53 games, he had at least six assists, including one against Toronto on November 8.
That was the night a lot of Raptors fans probably got their best look at him. Watford put up 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists with only one turnover in a 10-point Philadelphia win.
That game was a pretty good snapshot of why he’s worth a look. In a league where players who can slide between roles are more valuable than ever, Watford checks a lot of boxes. With his market still quiet, a minimum deal would be exactly the kind of low-risk move Toronto should be chasing as it tries to round out its frontcourt.
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