Trendon Watford is staying in the NBA, and he is set to do it with the New Orleans Pelicans. The forward is signing a 1-year, $2.9 million deal that pulls him off the edge of free agency and into New Orleans before training camp fully settles in.
The move matters because Watford was reportedly close to a deal to play overseas before this agreement came together. Instead of leaving the NBA, he has found a place with New Orleans, which gives him a chance to compete for a forward spot on a roster that can use a versatile body who can pass, rebound and handle the ball when needed.
That profile is part of what made Watford appealing. In 53 games with the Philadelphia 76ers, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists, numbers that point to a rotation player who can do a little of everything without needing the offense built around him. He also produced a triple-double during his time in Philadelphia, a reminder that his game can stretch beyond the box score basics.
His path to this deal was not straightforward. Watford had his player option declined and entered free agency, which opened the door to an overseas move and left his next step unsettled. That made the later shift back to the NBA more than a routine signing; it reset the direction of his offseason and kept him in the league rather than sending him abroad.
For New Orleans, the timing is part of the point. Training camp is nearing, and the team is coming off a tough 2025-26 season, so the addition gives it another experienced option while the rest of the roster picture firms up. Watford also arrives with career averages of 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists, a useful baseline for what he has been over a larger sample.
The decision leaves one clear takeaway: Watford chose the NBA over the uncertainty of an overseas move, and the Pelicans got him at a manageable price. What he earns next will be measured in minutes and fit, but the immediate answer is already set — he will be in New Orleans, not on a flight out of the league.
