In this new series, Sixers Wire looks at the 16 players, per Sportrac, that comprise the Philadelphia 76ers roster — 13 under standard contracts and the three players on two-way deals — and gives each three goals for the 2025-26 season. Of course, there is a certain restricted free agent that will be included as well.
The new season begins on Oct. 22, and training camp is right around the corner. Now is the time to begin previewing the new season of adventure that is Sixers basketball.
Up next in this series is free agent addition Trendon Watford. The Sixers brought in the versatile forward following a solid season with the Brooklyn Nets in which he averaged 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists as the Sixers look to add to their depth.
For Watford, his three goals are as follows:
Stabilize the bench unit
Watford has a unique skill set for somebody his size. He isn’t a knockdown 3-point shooter–he shot 33% from deep in 2024-25–but what he can do is score in other ways such as getting to the basket and also scoring in the mid-range. He is also a terrific playmaker from the power forward spot which gives him the skillset of being able to grab rebounds and immediately turn the other way and start a break. The Sixers should utilize this skill in the lineup with their main guys as well, but for now, he has to be a playmaker for that second unit and lead them at all times.
Develop a 3-point shot
If Watford were to be able to improve his 3-point percentage to somewhere around 37%, he would be even tougher to stop. He did shoot 39.7% from deep in the 2023-24 season, but on only 1.1 attempts per game. When those attempts got up to 2.0 in 2024-25, that’s when the percentage dropped. If the Sixers can get him to develop a consistent 3-point shot–which is a possibility when considering he’s only entering his fifth season–then they and Watford will be in a great position going forward.
Help out on the glass
The Sixers had trouble rebounding at times in the 2024-25 season. If Watford, who stands at 6-foot-9, can step in and produce for Philadelphia in that respect, then it would be a big help. The Sixers still aren’t the tallest team outside of Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond so they will need to gang rebound at times. That’s where Watford will have to step in and give the Sixers a big boost in that department so they can be able to run the break and such.