Trendon Watford News, Rumors, Updates - New Orleans Pelicans | FOX Sports

Upgraded to standard NBA deal Watford agreed Monday with the Trail Blazers to terminate his two-way contract in order to sign a four-year, $5.8 million standard contract, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Impact According to Wojnarowski, the final two years of Watford's contract are non-guaranteed, but the new deal should nonetheless allow the rookie big man to stick around in Portland through at least the 2022-23 campaign. Despite going undrafted out of LSU this past summer, the 6-foot-8, 237-pound Watford has been able to make a strong early impression at the NBA level. He settled in as the primary backup to starting center Jusuf Nurkic once the calendar flipped to 2022, averaging 5.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 15.5 minutes per game while shooting 60.4 percent from the field over his 24 appearances since the beginning of January.

FEBRUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Flirts with double-double Watford chipped in nine points (4-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), 10 rebounds, five assists and one steal in 23 minutes during Monday's 122-107 win over Milwaukee.

Impact Watford nearly secured his first double-double of the 2021-22 campaign, and he managed to log 20 or more minutes for the fourth time in the last six games. He'll continue to play behind Jusuf Nurkic going forward, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him get plenty of opportunities due to a lack of depth at center for Portland.

FEBRUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available Tuesday Watford (ankle) is available for Tuesday's matchup against the Magic.

Impact As expected, Watford will be available for reserve center minutes. Since the start of January, he's averaging 5.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 14.9 minutes.

FEBRUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Probable vs. Orlando Watford is listed as probable for Tuesday's game against the Magic due to a right ankle injury, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Impact Watford has been battling an ankle issue of late but hasn't missed any game time. Barring any last-minute setbacks, expect the LSU product to be available Tuesday evening.

FEBRUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Watford (ankle) will be available for Friday's contest against the Thunder, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Impact Watford has been nursing an ankle injury recently but will play through it Friday. He has averaged 7.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals across 15.8 minutes over the previous five games.

FEBRUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Friday Watford (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Thunder.

Impact Watford has been bothered by an ankle injury lately, but it hasn't caused him to miss time. Over the past five games, he's averaged 7.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 15.8 minutes.

FEBRUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Active Wednesday Watford (ankle) is available to play Wednesday against the Lakers, Jamie Hudson of KOIN 6 News Portland reports.

Impact Watford was originally deemed questionable with an ankle injury he suffered during Monday's game against the Thunder. However, the injury doesn't appear to be too serious and Watford will likely resume a normal workload Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable vs. Lakers Watford is questionable for Wednesday's matchup against the Lakers due to a sprained right ankle, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Impact Watford has been seeing backup center minutes due to Portland's injured frontcourt. If he's forced to sit out, Robert Covington would presumably cover backup minutes at the five.

FEBRUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Three blocks in 22 minutes Watford produced 10 points (5-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 22 minutes during Sunday's 130-116 loss to Chicago.

Impact While the Blazers did hit 18 threes and shot nearly 52 percent as a team, there weren't many positive takeaways from the blowout loss. However, Watford continues to emerge as a semi-intriguing backup center behind Jusuf Nurkic. Watford, an LSU product, has now played double-digit minutes in 12 of the last 13 games, reaching the 20-minute plateau three times during that stretch. His three blocks Sunday marked a new career high.

JANUARY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes control of backup center job Watford tallied two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and five rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench Tuesday in the Trail Blazers' 109-107 loss to the Timberwolves.

Impact The undrafted rookie out of LSU has appeared in each of Portland's last 12 games, averaging 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 13.3 minutes. He could make for an intriguing pickup the event Jusuf Nurkic misses time at any point, but for now, Watford isn't likely to see his role expand. Watford at least seems to have a solid grip on the backup center job, as Larry Nance (knee) is without a clear timeline for return, while Cody Zeller (knee) looks in danger of missing the rest of the regular season after undergoing surgery Tuesday.

JANUARY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE