CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers brought in Trendon Watford at the outset of free agency due to his versatility at the power forward spot. He can handle the ball, can knock down spot-up 3s, and run pick-and-roll opportunities with Joel Embiid and the other big men.

Watford has, unfortunately, dealt with a slew of injuries in his first season with the Sixers as he has played just 19 games thus far, but he has shown his ability to produce with averages of 6.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 40% from deep in just 16.9 minutes per night.

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In terms of fitting in next to Embiid, it has been a process for Watford as he moves forward in his first Philadelphia season, but he has such a high basketball IQ, so he will eventually figure it out.

“When I’m out there with him, I really try and be like a ball-handler who can play pick-and-roll with him,” Watford explained. “Obviously, get Tyrese(Maxey) off the ball some so he has legs in the fourth quarter, but me and Joel, we’ve had a small sample size, obviously playing together, but I think he trusts me to handle the ball.”

Watford knows how to play this game at a high level and is one of the more versatile players int he league. Versatility is the name of the game in today’s NBA and it’s important for players to understand that. Watford and Embiid will eventually be able to form a terrific two-man game.

“Obviously I’m gonna find him in the right spots and being able to cut off him and he can find me when he gets doubled and stuff in the post,” Watford added. “So, it’s going good, but it’s obviously gonna get better the more I play and the more I can get some reps with him.”

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If there is anybody on the Sixers who can help Watford understand how to play off Embiid, it’s Tyrese Maxey. A close friend of Watford’s, Maxey can lend a hand on how to play off him and help him grow next to the star big man.

“It takes a lot,” said Maxey. “You gotta know. You gotta have a good feel for the game. It’s different. Most of us—we don’t grow up playing with dominant bigs like, you know what I mean? That causes that much attention or you gotta get the ball to him. So, it’s difficult and it’s different, but once you figure it out, it gets easier for you every step of the way.”

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Trendon Watford discusses fitting in with Sixers star Joel Embiid