Wizards forward Davis Bertans is expected to have plenty of options in free agency this fall. Washington considers re-signing Bertans its top priority, and a previous report suggested that the Knicks, Hawks, and Suns are expected to have interest in the sharpshooting big man.
In addition to those teams with cap space, at least three over-the-cap clubs are preparing to make sign-and-trade offers for Bertans, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. While the identity of those teams isn’t known, Hughes’ source says there are two in the Eastern Conference and one in the West.
Bertans, who turns 28 this Thursday, opted out of the NBA’s restart due to his history of ACL injuries and a desire to preserve his value for his upcoming free agency. Before that, he had enjoyed a career year in 2019/20 during his first season as a Wizard, averaging a career-best 15.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 1.7 APG in 54 games (29.3 MPG).
Bertans also had his best shooting season, making an impressive 42.4% of 8.7 three-point attempts per game. His rare combination of size and shot-making ability will make him an intriguing target for teams seeking a big man who can stretch the floor, and he’s widely expected to command a contract that exceeds the mid-level exception. That means over-the-cap teams that want to land him would have no choice but to pursue a sign-and-trade deal.
According to Hughes, Washington will get the first meeting with Bertans later this month and will have the first shot to lock him up. While the Wizards don’t project to have any cap room, they’ll hold Bertans’ Bird rights, meaning they can go over the cap to re-sign him. They turned down offers for him at the trade deadline, so they’ll be motivated to get something done.
If Bertans decides he wants to leave D.C., a team with cap room would be able to sign him outright, in which case the Wizards would lose him for nothing. In a sign-and-trade scenario, both Bertans and Washington would have to sign off on the deal, which would give the Wizards a little leverage to recoup some value.
It’s also worth noting that any team acquiring a player via sign-and-trade would be hard-capped at the tax apron (approximately $139MM) for the rest of the 2020/21 league year. For a team like Boston – which had interest in Bertans at last season’s trade deadline – that could be a real obstacle, as the Celtics already project to be a taxpayer next year.
All top 20 free agents have been linked to Knicks
Trade idea
Knicks get Bertans
Wizards get Knox Smith and a future Second
SASpurs …
Boston, OKC, Spurs, Toronto all make a lot of sense
For the love of the game, Bertans could easily become the third Splash Brother on GSW, who have that $17M TPE
Not working
Sign and trade make Warriors hard capped
How easily? Can they do a sign and trade while still remaining under the $139M tax apron? We all remember last season when they were hard-capped and the problems suffered by the Warriors. Perhaps they can rid themselves of Green or Wiggins without taking back any salary. Is that their plan here?
Considering they’re at about $149M already, not that easily.
What problems were those. They aren’t the Rockets dude. Stop hating for the sake of hating. They had all their players hurt. They are going into a new stadium. They will be a favorite to win it all. They aren’t concerned about a cap. They will manage it so they can compete and win. Why can’t you see that. It’s not your money or Fertittas. I don’t get why you can’t just can’t be ok with another team having success, It’s really telling dude. It’s only a game.
Bertans on the Warriors could be very good, but it could really move the needle for the Wizards if done correctly.
Warriors get
Davis Bertans
Wizards get
Andrew Wiggins
#2 pick
Wiggins could be the wing Wall and Beal were hoping to have with Otto Porter. I still believe Wiggins can be a productive player in the league if he can get away from the expectations of being overall #1. With the #2 pick, James Wiseman would be the perfect fit for this team. A starting 5 of Wall, Beal, Wiggins, Hachimura. and Wiseman (or vet center if he isn’t ready to start) would be a top 4 team in the East. Couple that with getting someone like Haliburton or Hayes as a Wall insurance at 9 and this team could easily make some noise in the East. Even if Wiseman went #1, they could always get LaMelo to learn behind Wall and then get OO or Patrick Williams at 9 and be in about the same place.
Wait serious question. You really think bertans is worth the number 2 pick in this draft. By itself and Wiggins along with it ?????
By himself, no I don’t believe he is worth the #2. But by taking on the entire Wiggins contract with the #2, I think it is a fair deal.
The Warriors might be able to extract a Troy Brown out of the deal too, but I don’t think they would need to add the 9 or anything.
Especially since the sign and trade would leave the Warriors hard capped and they would have to basically give away Wiggins or Green anyway. Just like they had to with Iggy last year.
This is a horrendous trade proposal. He seems to think it’s realistic with all his follow up talk about how it affects the Wizards hahaha
Don’t talk about me like I’m not here. If you want to talk about me, then talk to me. And stop laughing at yourself, especially when there is no joke involved. You sound very foolish when you do that.
My apologies. I’ll speak to you. The trade you are proposing is not even close to fair. Wiggins will start for GSW and so would the potential pick 2 (or maybe someone they trade it for). To trade 2 starters for Bertans, who has never been a starter is suicide for GSW (even though his play would probably fit well with them). The warriors seem to think they can develop Wiggins, especially defensively given his athleticism. There is no chance your trade happens
Apology accepted. I agree that Wiggins can be a starter, but then again so can Bertans if they pencil him in the lineup. My proposal was regarding the guy mentioning GS getting Bertans. I was just showing what it would take to get him. Would I do it? Maybe, maybe not. Wiggins is making a lot more money than the value provides on the court. If this was MLB with no salary cap restrictions, there is no way I would make the deal. However, with the sign-and-trade restrictions making the Warriors hard-capped, they would have to get rid of either Wiggins or Green in order to get under the cap. Wiggins could be the starter, but he also has negative trade value. The #2 pick is valuable, but not really that valuable this year. Bertans is a hot commodity. The trade probably won’t happen, but it’s not as lopsided as you believe.
Bertans don’t play D. We don’t want one way players. Only FA we will chase is Woods. And for no more than 15 mill. Hopefully less.