Woj: Trendon Watford returns to Brooklyn Nets on one-year deal

Trendon Watford is back.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first with the news that Watford has signed his qualifying offer from the Brooklyn Nets, ending his restricted free agency and bringing him back to the borough...

The Nets subsequently confirmed the move in a press release and tweet.

The Nets currently have 14 players under contract and one player, Jaylen Martin, on a two-way deal.

This comes after Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported Brooklyn had extended a qualifying offer to Watford on June 29. That meant they could have matched any offer sheet Watford received from another team in free agency. Ten days later, it appears Watford didn’t receive any such offers, and decided instead to spend another year as a Net before hitting unrestricted free agency next summer.

He will make $2.7 million in 2024-25, leaving the Nets around $8 million shy of the luxury tax threshold, though you figure Sean Marks & Co. are not done re-jiggering the roster in light of their recent decision to rebuild.

Watford dipped in and out of the rotation early last season, but found a more consistent role by the spring time, ultimately appearing in 63 games. He emerged as a point-forward of sorts; at 6’8”, Brooklyn offered utilized him as the primary ball-handler when on the floor, where he displayed an ability to get to the rim off the dribble.

All in all, he averaged 6.9/3.1/1.3 on 53/40/79 splits, shooting a career-high from three on career-best volume. While his passing ability was often muted by turnovers, there’s certainly potential in the 23-year-old that Brooklyn will want to pounce on as they begin their rebuild.

After all signs pointed to his departure toward the end of the season and even into the beginning of the offseason, this may be Brooklyn’s first move that the Mikal Bridges trade is directly responsible for.

Brooklyn celebrated Watford’s return on social media by reminding the world of his connection to Cam Thomas, both LSU Tigers, and now, once again, both Brooklyn Nets...

Ben Simmons is also a former Tiger.

• Trendon Watford signs qualifying offer, will return to Nets on one-year deal ($) - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News
• Nets bring back Trendon Watford on qualifying offer - Brian Lewis - New York Post