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New Orleans Pelicans agree to deal with former LSU standout

NOLA.com · Rod Walker · 2026-08-17T15:58:03+00:00 · nguồn gốc

The New Orleans Pelicans are bringing Trendon Watford back to Louisiana. Watford, a 6-foot-8 forward who played at LSU, has agreed to a deal with the Pelicans, a source confirmed to The Times-Picayune Monday morning. The one-year deal is worth $2.9 million, according to an ESPN report. The Alabama native played the 2019-’20 and 2020-’21 seasons at LSU and made first-team All-SEC his second year. Watford played last season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in Philly. The highlight of his season was a triple double (20 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists) in a victory over the Toronto Raptors. The 17 rebounds and 10 assists were both career highs. His career-high in points was 27 points as a rookie with the Portland Trail Blazers in a game against the Washington Wizards. Watford’s career began in Portland when he signed with the Blazers after going undrafted out of LSU. In 2022, he was named Most Valuable Player of the Summer League championship game in Las Vegas. Watford spent two seasons with the Blazers. He played the following two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets before signing with the 76ers last July. Watford has played in 270 NBA games. For his career, he’s averaging 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2 assists. Watford's signing is one of the few moves the Pelicans have made this summer after finishing just 26-56 last season. The team re-signed veteran center DeAndre Jordan and drafted New Orleans native and St. Augustine High alum Jaron Pierre in the second round. They also hired Jamahl Mosley as head coach in May.