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LSU Basketball: Tigers hoping for a Trendon Watford NBA Draft reversal

By Holden Walter-Warner

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - MARCH 4: Trendon Watford #2 of the LSU Tigers looks at the photographer during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on March 4, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 99-90. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - MARCH 4: Trendon Watford #2 of the LSU Tigers looks at the photographer during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on March 4, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 99-90. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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LSU Basketball star Trendon Watford declared for the 2020 NBA Draft on Sunday, but could still choose to return to the Tigers for the 2020-21 season.

There are now less than two weeks left until the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft. Programs wait with bated breath to see if their star players will test the professional waters or not, with LSU Basketball becoming the most recent flashpoint after Trendon Watford declared for the draft.

Watford announced his decision to ESPN on Sunday afternoon. He will retain his eligibility to return to college as he tests the waters, which is a smart choice for the former freshman; he’s not expected to be a first-round pick in the NBA Draft.

As a freshman, Watford lived up to the McDonald’s All-American hype he brought to Baton Rouge. He averaged 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the Freshman All-SEC Team. His rebounding led the team, while his scoring was only topped by Skylar Mays.

His size is desirable to NBA teams, standing tall at 6-foot-9 and weighing 235 pounds, with a 7-2 wingspan to boot. There are definitely things Watford could work on if he returns to school, though, including his perimeter shooting; Watford shot just 26.9 percent from three last season, the worst percentage of any Tiger player who averaged at least 11 minutes per game.

In the latest HoopsHype aggregate mock draft, Watford is only being selected in a couple of mock drafts in the middle of the second round and is otherwise projected to go undrafted. LSU isn’t projected in next year’s early Top 25 rankings, but they likely aren’t far behind.

If Watford decides to drop out of the draft over the next few months, he could boost LSU towards SEC title contention in 2020-21. He would also be the team’s best returning player, with Mays set to graduate this spring.

Watford’s return would create a three-headed behemoth in the frontcourt. As a sophomore, forward Emmitt Williams averaged 13.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Darius Days averaged 11.1 points and 6.8 rebounds during his sophomore year. If all three return, LSU will have one of the most formidable frontcourts in the country.

Ja’vonte Smart is set to take on a larger role in the backcourt. As a sophomore (there’s a youth theme running through LSU’s promising 2019-20 season), Smart averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He could be one of the SEC’s most improved players next year.

He’ll be joined in the backcourt by Cameron Thomas, one of the top 25 recruits in the nation. Thomas picked LSU over Auburn, NC State and UCLA and his signing has propelled LSU to have the No. 3 class in the SEC and No. 6 class in the nation, per 247 Sports.

Next. NBA Draft 2020 Big Board. dark

Any of the players mentioned (outside of Thomas) could make their way to the NBA Draft, although none of them would be a particularly high pick. If they all decide to come back – led by Trendon Watford, who would be the most important returnee – LSU should position themselves as an NCAA Tournament team in 2020-21.

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