NBA Free Agency: 76ers to Sign Trendon Watford to 2-Year Contract, Yabusele Likely to Sign Elsewhere

The Philadelphia 76ers have made their first move in free agency. The team is signing forward Trendon Watford to a two-year, $5.3 million contract, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.

Watford is coming off a solid season in a reserve role for the Brooklyn Nets. The 24-year old averaged a career-high 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 20.8 minutes per game. Watford did not have a strong year shooting the ball last season, knocking down just 33.0% of his attempts from long distance. However, he is a career 34.9% shooter from 3-point range and he has multiple seasons of shooting 39.0% or higher from deep. Watford possesses above average passing abilities for his position. At 6-foot-9, he should have a sizable role as one of the first forwards off the bench for the Sixers.

What does this mean in relation to the team’s chances of retaining Guerschon Yabusele? Paul Hudrick of Liberty Ballers reports the Watford signing “indicates it is likely Yabusele will sign elsewhere.” The Sixers entered free agency with minimal salary cap flexibility and a small chance to keep the French native in Philadelphia. It appears another team is set to outbid the Sixers for Yabusele’s services.