The Nets are expected to extend a qualifying offer to Trendon Watford by Saturday’s deadline, a source told the Post.
That will make the 23-year-old a restricted free agent.
Watford averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.6 minutes last season for Brooklyn.
Watford played last season on a veteran minimum and has expressed a desire to stay with the Nets; the latest is a sign that Brooklyn may be looking to keep him as part of their rebuild.
“I think I can see myself here again,” Watford said after the Nets’ season ended. “I love the fans, and I love New York. This was my first time really living in New York and with the weather and the travel and everything; but it was great, man.
“It was great being around these guys, great being around the organization. Stepping into free-agency, we’ll see how it goes, but definitely had fun.”
Watford was LSU teammates with Cam Thomas, who now — in the wake of the Mikal Bridges trade — steps up as not only the Nets’ leading scorer but the face of the franchise.
“I’m just glad to be able to play with him again and see the big transformation between his freshman year of college to his third year in the league. It’s a big jump,” said Watford. “Man, he’s special. He knows that and the world knows that.”
There’s no guarantee that Watford will get to play with Thomas again this coming season, but the qualifying offer ensures the Nets can make that happen.
They now have the right to match any offer sheet another team gives Watford, who took a step up at the end of this past season.
When the Nets went with a younger lineup over the final 11 games, Watford was trusted with a much bigger role and averaged 12.9 points, 5.7 boards and 2.2 assists (albeit with 2.5 turnovers).
He shot .541 percent overall and a strong .440 from behind the arc down the stretch.
“This is an inexperienced team, but I feel like these last 10-12 games, we really showed what we can do,” Watford said of Brooklyn snapping a six-game losing skid with a 6-5 finish.
“I feel like I played well down the stretch when I got an opportunity. Even when I felt like I should have been playing in the beginning of the year, middle of the year, I knew my opportunity was going to come. I hope I left a good impression, but we’re gonna see.”
With Ben Simmons hurt and Spencer Dinwiddie traded, Watford took on point-forward duties as a secondary playmaker and even enjoyed backing up Dennis Schroder toward the end of the season.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say a point guard. Maybe a point forward and being able to play the four or whatever I need to play. I just want to be able to get on the floor and be effective. I feel like I still was able to perform well,” said Watford, who enjoyed the role.
“Yeah, I did. It was completely different for me because starting at the five my rookie year, carving out being able to play forward my second year, and in my third year, playing a lot of point guard and point forward. So, it was great.”