Hey, what's going on. It's Chris Carino and this is a podcast we call the Voice of the Nets. I'm joined by my longtime radio partner Tim Capstraw and NETS Danley Lucas Kaplan. You can also see Lucas's stuff on NETS Digital and YouTube and all their social media outlets and the website. Looking forward to some of the stuff he's got coming up here with the Nets and great to have him here with me and the Capper as we go through the holdovers, all the guys who played a part of the NETS team last season and now looking forward to the twenty four to twenty five season. As we slowly start to create toward training camp and the preseason and then the regular season getting underway. Front officers have to get creative sometimes, and I think there's so much attention paid to colleges and international scouting and theft and when people hear the word scout, they automatically think of the draft. But what's really important at the NBA level is personnel scouting. You know your ability to go out and find players that are in situations, maybe with other teams sitting at the end of the bench, but you know that given the right opportunity, you see something in them and you can now bring them in at a manageable contract and they can develop into something that can help you down the road. And I think there's no better example than that than Trendon Watford, a guy who you know, they saw something. The Nets staff saw something in him and saw on ability to sign him. He had been playing with the Portland Trailblazers. In hindsight, after he's playing, well, you talk to people from Portland, they talk about how much Chauncey Billets loved Trendon Watford. But maybe guys just find their nit and they get an opportunity. And that has certainly happened with Trendon Watford, not only in coming to the Nets originally, but I think as the season went along, you know, you saw him get more comfortable and find his role. And but I do think it goes to when he first made the team cap, when he first joined the team. I think when Trendon Watford first came to the Nets last year, it was well, here's another big you know, here's another guy that can help him six ' eight. They need some depth in the front line. But you saw in the in the in the preseason, they were using him as a primary ball handler. So you got a little glimpse at to who Trendon Watford was early in the year.

Hey, what's going on. It's Chris Carino and this is a podcast we call the Voice of the Nets. I'm joined by my longtime radio partner Tim Capstraw and NETS Danley Lucas Kaplan. You can also see Lucas's stuff on NETS Digital and YouTube and all their social media outlets and the website. Looking forward to some of the stuff he's got coming up here with the Nets and great to have him here with me and the Capper as we go through the holdovers, all the guys who played a part of the NETS team last season and now looking forward to the twenty four to twenty five season. As we slowly start to create toward training camp and the preseason and then the regular season getting underway. Front officers have to get creative sometimes, and I think there's so much attention paid to colleges and international scouting and theft and when people hear the word scout, they automatically think of the draft. But what's really important at the NBA level is personnel scouting. You know your ability to go out and find players that are in situations, maybe with other teams sitting at the end of the bench, but you know that given the right opportunity, you see something in them and you can now bring them in at a manageable contract and they can develop into something that can help you down the road. And I think there's no better example than that than Trendon Watford, a guy who you know, they saw something. The Nets staff saw something in him and saw on ability to sign him. He had been playing with the Portland Trailblazers. In hindsight, after he's playing, well, you talk to people from Portland, they talk about how much Chauncey Billets loved Trendon Watford. But maybe guys just find their nit and they get an opportunity. And that has certainly happened with Trendon Watford, not only in coming to the Nets originally, but I think as the season went along, you know, you saw him get more comfortable and find his role. And but I do think it goes to when he first made the team cap, when he first joined the team. I think when Trendon Watford first came to the Nets last year, it was well, here's another big you know, here's another guy that can help him six ' eight. They need some depth in the front line. But you saw in the in the in the preseason, they were using him as a primary ball handler. So you got a little glimpse at to who Trendon Watford was early in the year.

Last year.

Last year.

Yeah, that was you know, when you think what Trendon Watford, you can't help but think about it.

Yeah, that was you know, when you think what Trendon Watford, you can't help but think about it.

His versatility, you.

His versatility, you.

Know, the ability to be you know, here's a backup, backup point guard or a big portions of the season. So he certainly had the capability of being able to do that at any time. He looked, he looked comfortable doing it. He wasn't just the guy that you know, could handle the ball a little bit. He could initiate offense from the back court. He could get it up and get you started. It's one thing to get the ball off the elbow and make him play. It's another thing to you know, basically bring it up. Uh.

Know, the ability to be you know, here's a backup, backup point guard or a big portions of the season. So he certainly had the capability of being able to do that at any time. He looked, he looked comfortable doing it. He wasn't just the guy that you know, could handle the ball a little bit. He could initiate offense from the back court. He could get it up and get you started. It's one thing to get the ball off the elbow and make him play. It's another thing to you know, basically bring it up. Uh.

And yet you know, I don't see him as a point guard, but he's a guy that can do that and play that pretty well. And you know, he's in versatility. Versatility. Offensively, he showed that he can play different multiple positions. He's what you always to call the the r p O right, the run pass option.

And yet you know, I don't see him as a point guard, but he's a guy that can do that and play that pretty well. And you know, he's in versatility. Versatility. Offensively, he showed that he can play different multiple positions. He's what you always to call the the r p O right, the run pass option.

He was not he'd get it in a five out and fake the handoff.

He was not he'd get it in a five out and fake the handoff.

Almost to the point where you know it was on a scouting report that this guy he'd handed it often handed it off that often. Yeah, yeah, handed it to other guys and he would take it in and make finishing place. Confident guy, versatile multiple positions. I heard of him when I talked to people out West scouts out there. He's a really good, uh you know, short role guy. He not only could pass, he played a lot of four and he's got this little half little Papa shot thing that goes in.

Almost to the point where you know it was on a scouting report that this guy he'd handed it often handed it off that often. Yeah, yeah, handed it to other guys and he would take it in and make finishing place. Confident guy, versatile multiple positions. I heard of him when I talked to people out West scouts out there. He's a really good, uh you know, short role guy. He not only could pass, he played a lot of four and he's got this little half little Papa shot thing that goes in.

He didn't really show that. He showed almost everything but that. And then you think about him on the defense. Great versatility there. Also, he's out able to switch out, play multiple positions and on top of all everything we just talked about was close to forty percent from three. This guy's gone. Is an interesting guy. And he's only twenty three years old.

He didn't really show that. He showed almost everything but that. And then you think about him on the defense. Great versatility there. Also, he's out able to switch out, play multiple positions and on top of all everything we just talked about was close to forty percent from three. This guy's gone. Is an interesting guy. And he's only twenty three years old.

Good guy.

Good guy.

That's another thing. He's young and former teammate of Cam Johnson at LSU. Brother brother was a great player at Indiana. So he comes from a basketball background. It's in his blood, it's in his family. And you know that the floater was money. I mean, his ability to get that shot is what he wants. And ye know, we talked about it in the Shooter episode where Dennis Shooter is a point guard who is at a disadvantage because of his size. Here's a guy if Trendon Watford can develop into eight you know he is, he does play point guard when he's out there sometimes, like if he can develop in of that, he's his size can be a real weapon for him, Lucas. I mean, he's you know, his ability to maybe show some of those other things. The size on both ends of the floor comes in handy for him absolutely.

That's another thing. He's young and former teammate of Cam Johnson at LSU. Brother brother was a great player at Indiana. So he comes from a basketball background. It's in his blood, it's in his family. And you know that the floater was money. I mean, his ability to get that shot is what he wants. And ye know, we talked about it in the Shooter episode where Dennis Shooter is a point guard who is at a disadvantage because of his size. Here's a guy if Trendon Watford can develop into eight you know he is, he does play point guard when he's out there sometimes, like if he can develop in of that, he's his size can be a real weapon for him, Lucas. I mean, he's you know, his ability to maybe show some of those other things. The size on both ends of the floor comes in handy for him absolutely.

I mean, one thing I like about him is that his older brother, Christian Watford likes without fail, every one of my tweets about a friend of mine pretty much and the other and Trendon is almost forty percent from three last year, and it's like you want him to take more, you know, if you're using him as a starting or not a starting, but if you're using him as like a ball handler, it's like, hey, you got to shoot the three, and you're shooting it well enough where we don't want you to hesitate from there. He's clearly like specially talented in a way, in a way that a lot of end of bench guys are not as in, you know, towards the end of the bench on Portland six eight, guy that can shoot, can hit, get to the floater, can kind of wiggle his way into the paint, you know, for trend and I want to see him lean into that passing ability more even to not you know, rely on the floater because he has these highlight passes that are you know, even more impressive for a guy his size, but sometimes can veer away from that. You know, you want him to lean into his strengths more. It's like, dude, you could be a guy, a jumbo sized guard who shoots really well from three and makes a lot of passes. So for him, it's about getting a minute leaning into his strengths and you.

I mean, one thing I like about him is that his older brother, Christian Watford likes without fail, every one of my tweets about a friend of mine pretty much and the other and Trendon is almost forty percent from three last year, and it's like you want him to take more, you know, if you're using him as a starting or not a starting, but if you're using him as like a ball handler, it's like, hey, you got to shoot the three, and you're shooting it well enough where we don't want you to hesitate from there. He's clearly like specially talented in a way, in a way that a lot of end of bench guys are not as in, you know, towards the end of the bench on Portland six eight, guy that can shoot, can hit, get to the floater, can kind of wiggle his way into the paint, you know, for trend and I want to see him lean into that passing ability more even to not you know, rely on the floater because he has these highlight passes that are you know, even more impressive for a guy his size, but sometimes can veer away from that. You know, you want him to lean into his strengths more. It's like, dude, you could be a guy, a jumbo sized guard who shoots really well from three and makes a lot of passes. So for him, it's about getting a minute leaning into his strengths and you.

Know, cutting out. I don't want to say the.

Know, cutting out. I don't want to say the.

Fat on his game, but limiting turnovers, limiting fouls and those things are going to keep you off the court. So he is a very a lot of end of bench guys or you know, deep rotation guys, you kind of know where you're gonna get.

Fat on his game, but limiting turnovers, limiting fouls and those things are going to keep you off the court. So he is a very a lot of end of bench guys or you know, deep rotation guys, you kind of know where you're gonna get.

It might not be much. Trenton is the opposite.

It might not be much. Trenton is the opposite.

He has real high level skills, but he also has these things that hold him back. So that is you know, if you're talking about guys you look forward to watching and analyzing. That's the perfect recipe right there.

He has real high level skills, but he also has these things that hold him back. So that is you know, if you're talking about guys you look forward to watching and analyzing. That's the perfect recipe right there.

Yeah, I think that's a that's a great point because sometimes you know, sometimes guys you they do certain things on the floor, so it's gonna lead to turnovers or you you live with some stuff that because you don't want to take away their creativity, you don't want to take away their aggressiveness. But I think sometimes with Trendon Watford it was it wasn't so much of of mistakes of aggression or trying to make a play. It just would be lack of concentration, slopping it. And you're right, that's something that's easy to you know, life lesson. Those are the kind of things that are easy to clean up. So do it.

Yeah, I think that's a that's a great point because sometimes you know, sometimes guys you they do certain things on the floor, so it's gonna lead to turnovers or you you live with some stuff that because you don't want to take away their creativity, you don't want to take away their aggressiveness. But I think sometimes with Trendon Watford it was it wasn't so much of of mistakes of aggression or trying to make a play. It just would be lack of concentration, slopping it. And you're right, that's something that's easy to you know, life lesson. Those are the kind of things that are easy to clean up. So do it.

You know, you don't want to look up in the second quarter and it's or like you know, four minutes after he checks in and he's pretty much checking in with two turnovers because you're probably going to get one or two real turnovers right where there are mistakes of aggression, but all of a sudden you have three or four turnovers and you know half of them are kind of easily correctable trending. I mean, this is why you sign a young guy, and this is why you give him more opportunity. So it's not any sort of personal fault, but you definitely just want him to keep doing the things he's good at. And then all of a sudden, you have a really unique player, that versatile, big long can be used in any number of ways. You know, he can come off a screen, or he can set a screen and roll. And these are the types of guys that if the coaches can trust them, then the coaches will love using them in a variety of ways.

You know, you don't want to look up in the second quarter and it's or like you know, four minutes after he checks in and he's pretty much checking in with two turnovers because you're probably going to get one or two real turnovers right where there are mistakes of aggression, but all of a sudden you have three or four turnovers and you know half of them are kind of easily correctable trending. I mean, this is why you sign a young guy, and this is why you give him more opportunity. So it's not any sort of personal fault, but you definitely just want him to keep doing the things he's good at. And then all of a sudden, you have a really unique player, that versatile, big long can be used in any number of ways. You know, he can come off a screen, or he can set a screen and roll. And these are the types of guys that if the coaches can trust them, then the coaches will love using them in a variety of ways.

I'm sure Caver can speak to that.

I'm sure Caver can speak to that.

You know, well, I'll tell you, And I'm glad you brought up the turnovers because I don't think anything gets coaches more riled up than that, you know, turning the.

You know, well, I'll tell you, And I'm glad you brought up the turnovers because I don't think anything gets coaches more riled up than that, you know, turning the.

Basketball over that that of that'll mak it crazy. You's got to clean that up.

Basketball over that that of that'll mak it crazy. You's got to clean that up.

And very point you're gonna.

And very point you're gonna.

Play defense without following.

Play defense without following.

I think, yeah, the.

I think, yeah, the.

Young team and nets will help themselves significantly with their ability to play the game and not you know, and you know, not being able to play defense with your feet, not play hard, play aggressive, be physical, but don't don't put the other team on the in the bonus to early that's for sure.

Young team and nets will help themselves significantly with their ability to play the game and not you know, and you know, not being able to play defense with your feet, not play hard, play aggressive, be physical, but don't don't put the other team on the in the bonus to early that's for sure.

Can Trenton Watford be your you're like a starting primary ball handler or do you think he needs he's going to be that uh niche kind of player coming off the bench.

Can Trenton Watford be your you're like a starting primary ball handler or do you think he needs he's going to be that uh niche kind of player coming off the bench.

I think he can find a happy medium, you know. I don't think it has to be one or the other. Like, for example, if he's playing next to Cam Thomas, you know, LSU teammate, there are possessions he can operate and run, and then there are possessions when he can set a screen and play off the ball. You know, ideally with Trenton Watford, you find this happy medium where you're maintaining aggression.

I think he can find a happy medium, you know. I don't think it has to be one or the other. Like, for example, if he's playing next to Cam Thomas, you know, LSU teammate, there are possessions he can operate and run, and then there are possessions when he can set a screen and play off the ball. You know, ideally with Trenton Watford, you find this happy medium where you're maintaining aggression.

But you don't need to be the guy to do it.

But you don't need to be the guy to do it.

So I think he may have those primary skills, he may have some off ball skills, but you don't want to pigeonhole him. At the same time, it's on him not to get pigeonholed with all of the things we're talking about, you know, and again, minutes you find the balance, you find where you can attack, you find a matchup you like. You get used to making those not just split second decisions, but decision making from a larger perspective like, oh, when I come into.

So I think he may have those primary skills, he may have some off ball skills, but you don't want to pigeonhole him. At the same time, it's on him not to get pigeonholed with all of the things we're talking about, you know, and again, minutes you find the balance, you find where you can attack, you find a matchup you like. You get used to making those not just split second decisions, but decision making from a larger perspective like, oh, when I come into.

The game, want to get this done.

The game, want to get this done.

When I'm playing next to this guy, I want to.

When I'm playing next to this guy, I want to.

Get this done.

Get this done.

And that that is a feel thing sort of at the you know, at the general level.

And that that is a feel thing sort of at the you know, at the general level.

You know, we're talking about him like and he's we should be you know, like, you know, he didn't count on necessarily being a backup point guard. That's not why he was necessarily. Let's not forget that he could be a very good wing three four you know, in play play just on the wing. He just have skills just play. We talk about that. What do we always say about wing players?

You know, we're talking about him like and he's we should be you know, like, you know, he didn't count on necessarily being a backup point guard. That's not why he was necessarily. Let's not forget that he could be a very good wing three four you know, in play play just on the wing. He just have skills just play. We talk about that. What do we always say about wing players?

Can they defend?

Can they defend?

I think he's an average defender, a good strong and can you shoot? He can do both of those things. Let's not forget that.

I think he's an average defender, a good strong and can you shoot? He can do both of those things. Let's not forget that.

We're talking about all the things that were the bonus things that got him on the floor, but let's not forget that he could you know, also be just just maybe a.

We're talking about all the things that were the bonus things that got him on the floor, but let's not forget that he could you know, also be just just maybe a.

Really good wing player at the NBA.

Really good wing player at the NBA.

Yeah, this is this is the guy we're all talking about, maybe folks on what he could do better, But it's all coming from a place I think we can agree with, like we want more from this guy because we see that he has it and you know, just to kind of not end, but you know, for a positive note in here, it's because he has it, and because he clearly has this talent.

Yeah, this is this is the guy we're all talking about, maybe folks on what he could do better, But it's all coming from a place I think we can agree with, like we want more from this guy because we see that he has it and you know, just to kind of not end, but you know, for a positive note in here, it's because he has it, and because he clearly has this talent.

That's why you want more from him.

That's why you want more from him.

But we wouldn't be talking about him like this if we didn't think there was a legit future for him to be a positive NBA player. I mean, I think that's for sure.

But we wouldn't be talking about him like this if we didn't think there was a legit future for him to be a positive NBA player. I mean, I think that's for sure.

Yeah, and you mentioned his he can be that kind of wing guy or you can put him in. He's one of those guys that you don't want to say we don't know what position he is because so many times we see guys that people they'll bounce around a couple of teams and or they won't get drafted, and they go, we don't really know what position he is. Well, look at all the things he can do and don't worry about pigeonholing him into a position. The thing that makes him so valuable though, and you know, because there's a lot of guys that are six eight, six nine that can that can shoot and defend pretty good and and play the wing. But what's going to separate you and I think what separates him is that ability to be a primary ball him and to be a passer and to be you know, have that that floater game, and like, those are the things that now you become a guy that now we're a matchup nightmare on the floor when he's there, because you know, and and you pointed out earlier too about you know Caper talking about in Portland where he had that ability to play kind of around the rim. If if you're trying to match up with a smaller point guard with him, he could have that ability to maybe take him down on the block, uh and use that half hook, you know, you know, so he'd become That's the thing, like, if he can play that position, that might be the thing that separates him as a player as a post to just another six ' eight, six ' nine guy that can shoot and defend. Is he good enough to be an NBA you know level guy at that level, that's a question. But when you throw in his ability to handle the ball, the floater game be a matchup nightmare. That's the thing that I think makes Trendon Watford the intriguing player that.

Yeah, and you mentioned his he can be that kind of wing guy or you can put him in. He's one of those guys that you don't want to say we don't know what position he is because so many times we see guys that people they'll bounce around a couple of teams and or they won't get drafted, and they go, we don't really know what position he is. Well, look at all the things he can do and don't worry about pigeonholing him into a position. The thing that makes him so valuable though, and you know, because there's a lot of guys that are six eight, six nine that can that can shoot and defend pretty good and and play the wing. But what's going to separate you and I think what separates him is that ability to be a primary ball him and to be a passer and to be you know, have that that floater game, and like, those are the things that now you become a guy that now we're a matchup nightmare on the floor when he's there, because you know, and and you pointed out earlier too about you know Caper talking about in Portland where he had that ability to play kind of around the rim. If if you're trying to match up with a smaller point guard with him, he could have that ability to maybe take him down on the block, uh and use that half hook, you know, you know, so he'd become That's the thing, like, if he can play that position, that might be the thing that separates him as a player as a post to just another six ' eight, six ' nine guy that can shoot and defend. Is he good enough to be an NBA you know level guy at that level, that's a question. But when you throw in his ability to handle the ball, the floater game be a matchup nightmare. That's the thing that I think makes Trendon Watford the intriguing player that.

He is, and it has a sort of compounding effect where then you can play him in different lineup configurations, which makes everybody else better. Okay, we have a couple non shooters, or we have a couple big guys.

He is, and it has a sort of compounding effect where then you can play him in different lineup configurations, which makes everybody else better. Okay, we have a couple non shooters, or we have a couple big guys.

Let's slide him over.

Let's slide him over.

To the one, you know, and now we're a big team and we can get on the glass. Okay, we have these guards we really want to play. They can shoot. Okay, we can sline them kind of down here, match them up with the forward. He can set some screens. And so you stack those guys on a team, you know, no matter who he's playing for, and it adds value beyond just the literal things he can do on a basketball court. You know, it makes his teammates better just by existing. And so this is I think the thing, This is why we don't want to pigeon all it. You know, that's a big part of his appeal.

To the one, you know, and now we're a big team and we can get on the glass. Okay, we have these guards we really want to play. They can shoot. Okay, we can sline them kind of down here, match them up with the forward. He can set some screens. And so you stack those guys on a team, you know, no matter who he's playing for, and it adds value beyond just the literal things he can do on a basketball court. You know, it makes his teammates better just by existing. And so this is I think the thing, This is why we don't want to pigeon all it. You know, that's a big part of his appeal.

Well, Lucas Kaplan, Hopefully Christian Watford, his brother, will continue to like your tweets or your hosts on X. He was He's the typical example. Trendon was of the the guy that you would go to see him and my son used to play, you know, wreck ball or whatever, and you'd always have like the younger brother, the little kid on the sideline when there was a time out would run onto the floor and hoist up some jumpers, you know, and you and just always be around on those travel teams and you'd say, well, that kid may end up being better than all of them. And he was the guy that used to go with his parents on those long rides up from Birmingham, Alabama, up to up to Indiana to go see his brother. There's picture of Trending with the red and white stripe pants that the Indiana Hoosier players used to wear. Tom Creane used to love having him around his brother, you know, try to give it a go in the NBA. It didn't really work out for Christian, but certainly Trending was the kid who was always hanging on. But now he has a real opportunity, I think this year to show what he can be with a team that is just you know, looking for players who can step up for the Nets this season and what will be a real wild card, a real wild card for the Nets in a wild card of a season. I think Trendon Watford, we appreciate you tuning in here. The voice of the Nets, my longtime radio partner Tim Capstraw. The Capper and of Nets Daily and Nets Digital is Lucas Kaplan I'm Chris Carino. Thank you so much for checking us out on the Voice of the Nets.

Well, Lucas Kaplan, Hopefully Christian Watford, his brother, will continue to like your tweets or your hosts on X. He was He's the typical example. Trendon was of the the guy that you would go to see him and my son used to play, you know, wreck ball or whatever, and you'd always have like the younger brother, the little kid on the sideline when there was a time out would run onto the floor and hoist up some jumpers, you know, and you and just always be around on those travel teams and you'd say, well, that kid may end up being better than all of them. And he was the guy that used to go with his parents on those long rides up from Birmingham, Alabama, up to up to Indiana to go see his brother. There's picture of Trending with the red and white stripe pants that the Indiana Hoosier players used to wear. Tom Creane used to love having him around his brother, you know, try to give it a go in the NBA. It didn't really work out for Christian, but certainly Trending was the kid who was always hanging on. But now he has a real opportunity, I think this year to show what he can be with a team that is just you know, looking for players who can step up for the Nets this season and what will be a real wild card, a real wild card for the Nets in a wild card of a season. I think Trendon Watford, we appreciate you tuning in here. The voice of the Nets, my longtime radio partner Tim Capstraw. The Capper and of Nets Daily and Nets Digital is Lucas Kaplan I'm Chris Carino. Thank you so much for checking us out on the Voice of the Nets.