Trendon Watford #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against Avery Bradley #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Moda Center on February 09, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. Steph Chambers/Getty Images/AFP
The Portland Trail Blazers are signing two-way rookie forward Trendon Watford to a new four-year deal worth $5.8 million, the team announced Monday.
The contract includes two non-guaranteed seasons.
The Blazers are also waiving guard Dennis Smith Jr., who is out approximately three to four more weeks due to an elbow injury.
The undrafted rookie out of LSU. You earned this, @trendonw!
Congratulations ❤️
🔗: https://t.co/Khwmyet1Vv pic.twitter.com/6yqHrOl2k7
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 21, 2022
Watford, 21, joined the Blazers as an undrafted free agent out of LSU. He’s averaging 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 33 games off the bench this season. He’s playing 12.6 minutes per game.
Smith suffered a high-grade partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during a practice, the team said last week. Smith last played on Feb. 9.
Smith, 24, is averaging 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists in 37 games (four starts) this season. He was playing 17.2 minutes per game in his first season with the Blazers.
Smith was selected No. 9 overall in the 2017 draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He also has played for the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons.