The Wizards plan to add a player to replace forward Davis Bertans on the roster when the season resumes in Orlando, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Bertans, an unrestricted free agent after the season, has decided not to suit up during the restart. Washington will look for a player who could prove useful in Orlando and thus have ruled out DeMarcus Cousins, who tore his ACL in August and was waived by the Lakers in February. Cousins is still rehabbing the injury.
The Wizards won’t necessarily sign a stretch four to fortify that spot. They could sign a 3-point shooter at another position, Hughes continues. Rookie Rui Hachimura will see his offensive role expands in Bertans’ absence, Hughes adds.
Bertans’ agent, Arturs Kalnitis, told Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype that Bertans reached his decision in recent days.
“To be completely honest, Davis was prepared to play and then he made a last-minute decision to sit out,” Kalnitis said. “We’re playing the cards that we were dealt. When the NBA announced that players who sit out wouldn’t face consequences and would just lose one percent of their salary for each game missed, we sat down to discuss this. Davis is about to sign the biggest deal of his life, so he would be taking a big risk by playing.”
Bertans has battled ACL injuries during his career but Kalnitis said the possibility of injury after a long layoff was just one of the factors that led to his client’s decision.
“The injury risk played a role in Davis’ decision, but it wasn’t the only factor,” Kalnitis told Kennecdy. “I haven’t mentioned this before, but Davis has an insurance policy that kicked in at the start of the season so if he gets injured, he has a big, fat check coming his way. So, it wasn’t just the injury risk.”
I understand a player wanting to avoid injuries that may affect the contract, but if I’m a GM or owner of a team, I’ll certainly remember those players that bailed on their teammates when it counted.
In any other situation I would agree with you, but this is an uprecedented situation. I think teams will be understanding.
The Wizards also have virtually no chance to do anything worthwhile this season. It’s not a crazy assumption that he’d be playing if they were the 5 seed or something
Without home court advantage, seeding is just a number.
I would too, especially if it is a fringe end-of-the-bench guy. I mean a superstar opting out won’t really be hurt, but that #10 guy in the rotation could easily be passed over for another player.
So is he still collecting a check for games he’s not playing in? If so that’s not right in my book.
I assume the players for the teams not invited to Orlando are still paid their normal salaries, how is this so different if he sits out 8 games?
Because the other players don’t have a choice and Bertans does.
And no he will not be paid for opting out.
Who cares if Bertans plays or not, he is at best an average player, bench guy for WAS. It will be best for the team as Rui is way better & will not lose valuable minutes for a guy who can’t do anything but shoot.
Yeah, I mean who cares if he was paid money then decided he wasn’t going to go to do what he was paid for? No employer in the world would have a problem with that.
That’s ignorant at best. How many players do you know averaging almost 9 threes a game while shooting at a .425 clip? That’s not something you can easily replace
Excellent opportunity for the Wizards to bring in the Best G League player they can get as a replacement.
Give Rui prime playing time.