The Trail Blazers are waiving forward Trendon Watford, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
Watford’s non-guaranteed minimum salary ($1,836,096) for 2023/24 would have become fully guaranteed if he had remained under contract beyond Friday. By cutting him, Portland won’t be on the hook for that money and will create a little extra roster flexibility entering free agency.
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It’s a somewhat surprising move, given that Watford is just 22 years old and is coming off a pretty good season in Portland. He averaged 7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists with a shooting line of .560/.391/.720 in 62 appearances (19.1 MPG) in 2022/23.
Watford will become an unrestricted free agent if he passes through waivers, but given his age, his modest salary, and his solid track record, he’s a candidate to be claimed.
Although he’s on a minimum-salary contract, Watford’s deal initially covered four years, which means it can’t be claimed using the minimum salary exception. A team with interest in claiming the former LSU standout would need to have the cap room or a trade exception necessary to cover his $1.84MM salary.
If Watford is claimed, his 2023/24 salary would become guaranteed and his new club would hold a minimum-salary team option for ’24/25.
maybe they need space for a dame trade?
I bet Watford resigns a new deal with Portland a little later in July
No way he makes it thru waivers without some team picking him up
Yup, most teams would claim him
How can he sign for less than minimum
Hawks DEFINITELY need to sign this guy if possible. He’s not as athletic as John Collins but he’s pretty much the same player in every other way except he can still shoot really well, he has a stronger base & obv he’s much much cheaper… link to m.youtube.com
An easy upgrade for several teams, and he isn’t likely to cost a ton either. Non-taxpayer middy or less, imo. I could see him signing a contract similar to Danuel House, about 3-4 million a year for two years with a player option in the second year. And that’s only if he goes unclaimed.
Head scratcher but there might be something big coming up – I wonder what’s next? Also they didn’t give QO to Cam and declined team option for Knox
Unless his defense is just terrible it makes no sense to waive him. His stats are good for a bench player.
He’s not great, but he’s not awful either? Kind of meh, but he’s too good for that to be a critical flaw, especially since he can play both forward slots.
This kid’s hustle makes him a steal for anyone picking him up. He is better than his stats show. He handles the ball well for his size and is a very good passer and team glue guy. Most of the Portland fans love him and believed he would stick unless he was used in a trade. I think most liked him over N’Urkle in the lineup and he like Eubanks showed great improvement with playing time. This was a stupid move by a dumb management group. I’m sure Billups is angry about this one. They probably did it because they just drafted 2 more young forwards in Murray and Rupert. Watford was not drafted but earned his roster spot and deserved better than this.
They had several players at the 4, and needed to get rid of some, but I would have kept Watford and Walker, and Grant obviously.
I personally like this guy as a 4/5/3. His shot is still improving, but he has a lot to him