Despite the Wizards‘ rather substantial logjam at the power forward spot, Davis Bertans is unlikely to be traded anytime soon, writes Fred Katz of The Athletic in today’s mailbag.
Katz cautions Wizards fans that between Bertans’ contract – which has four years and $65MM remaining (final year partially guaranteed) – and the team’s 2023 pick being owned by the Thunder and protected to 2026, the avenues for moving the sweet-shooting Latvian would be incredibly limited.
However, there’s reason for optimism regarding Bertans, Katz writes. The 28-year-old started last season behind the eight-ball from a health standpoint and never fully got up to speed, which could be one reason for his up-and-down year. A more egalitarian offense, spearheaded by the Spencer Dinwiddie/Bradley Beal backcourt and masterminded by new coach Wes Unseld Jr. should also allow Bertans more freedom to get loose for the types of shots that earned him his five-year extension during the 2019/20 season.
We have more news from around the Wizards:
- In the same piece, Katz writes that though last year’s number nine pick Deni Avdija may be set to play fewer minutes this season, he should be used more as a play-maker, as most of the players on the bench are either catch-and-shoot specialists (Corey Kispert/Bertans), finishers (Montrezl Harrell), or are more comfortable off the ball (Raul Neto/Aaron Holiday). How Unseld will divide the minutes between the forwards remains unclear, but Avdija brings a unique skillset to the frontcourt rotation.
- The Wizards will be Beal’s team like never before, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Luckily, Hughes writes, the team has rebuilt itself in a way that should complement its star well. Hughes examines how the team’s additions will booster its once-anemic defense while adding depth and shooting on the offensive end. But for it to work, Hughes says that guys like Dinwiddie, Rui Hachimura and Kyle Kuzma will have to emerge as consistent scorers who can create offense for themselves when called upon.
- Mike Williams has been named head coach of the Wizards G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, per a team press release. Williams, who spent last season as a development coach for the Wizards and the director of player development for the Go-Go, expressed his excitement at the new role. “I look forward to leading our development and instilling the new philosophies of Coach Unseld into the Go-Go as we return playing in front of our great fans at the Entertainment and Sports Arena this season,” Williams said.
This really might be the best DC team since the Hayes/Unseld days. Extremely deep, loads of experience, big time scorers at every position. Rui especially is gonna have a big yr. Beal is obv still their best player but I feel like Dinwiddie is their most important. He’s got a bunch of scorers, but he has to learn their tendencies & their spots. Maximizing guys like Trez, Deni, Kuz, Bertans & the rest could lead to DC being the surprise of the league next season. No offense to Mia but as a Hawks fan I see DC as our biggest threat in the SE div
They did get more depth in the trade with LA and should have a lot more team chemistry without Westbrook’s stat stuffing. It all depends on how long it takes Dinwiddie to return to form after his ACL injury.
I think they’ll have much less chemistry without Russ tbh. He was the main reason they even made the playoffs last yr. Getting everyone back on the same page will take time with all the new faces they have but I feel like Dinwiddie can get it done. I also don’t think his injury will be much of an issue, he’s been healthy for awhile now… Obv you have a lot of hate toward Russ tho. Do everyone a favor and keep that to yourself
Which former Bullet/Wizard would you rather have on your team, Jeff Malone, Otto Porter, Rod Strickland, Caron Butler or Phil Chenier?
Rod Strickland 7 days a week!
I’m honestly just glad to get a coherent answer but Rod over Chenier? Idk, Chenier was a much better defender, much better scorer, had much more team success even while playing with arguably less talent than Rod
It can only by Rod Strickland… the rest don’t matter much!
Lol just bc u never heard of them don’t mean they don’t matter. Chenier helped DC win the East 3 times in the late 70s while Rod never won a playoff series in DC
No need to be your usual rude… I have heard & seen them all… but I don’t much care about winning playoff series, I care about enjoying a particular player, & in that case I loved Strickland… you shouldn’t ask questions if you don’t like the answers you get, have a nice day & try to grow up!
Hachimura should see some time at the 5, especially earlier in the season, before they get Bryant back
Trez & Gafford should be able to hold down the 5
Ya, I didnt say they wouldnt…but I think Hachimura should get minutes there
Dinwiddie, Beal, KCP, Kuzma, Gafford
Hachimura, Kispert, Avdija, Harrell, Holiday, Gill/Bertans
Hachimura as the first guy off the bench at the 5 for a bit, and then moves to the 4. Also the primary scorer off the bench
You could also just start with the lineup with him at the 5 with
Dinwiddie, Beal, KCP, Kuzma, Hachimura
Avdija, Harrell, Kispert, Holiday, Bertans/Gill, Gafford
But I feel like you lose defense in that first unit and lack a rim protector for a lot of time in that rotation, and also rely on certain guys off the bench to maybe do more…obviously probably becomes easier when Bryant comes back, as he can space the floor and take some offensive possessions at the 5 in the 2nd unit, but then it really becomes interesting with how much you’re willing to lose defensively
Rui is DEFINITELY the starting 4 for this team, last yr, this yr & for yrs to come. That should go without saying. Also Davis or Kuz probably will start over KCP at the 3.
Balance on the floor is questionable like that, in my opinion
In what way? Dinwiddie/Beal/Kuz/Rui/Gafford w/ Trez/KCP/Davis/Aaron/Deni/Neto/Kispert off the bench seems pretty balanced to me. Spence & Beal at guard & Rui at the 4 are locks tho no doubt.
Hachimura is kind of a blackhole at the 4, and a non spacer, as well as bad defender. He might be better off in a role where he can use more possessions as a scorer.
Regardless of anything, KCP absolutely has to start at the 3.
I just think they’re better off with Kuzma at the 4, playing off their starters, than Hachimura (who needs the ball in his hands more, and then doesnt pass much when he does have it), and Hachimura would be a better primary bench scorer than Kuzma, so that works for both of them. Hachimura could also take pressure off Avdija having to be more effective in a more important role off the bench.
Smh. Rui is a young beast at the 4. Have you seen this kid play? He’s extremely good & only getting better. He could be a future all-star at the 4. He’s gonna get a lot of touches & shots as a starter lol I highly suggest you get familiar with Rui. And what makes you think KCP absolutely has to start at a position he’s never started at before? KCP would be very undersized against literally every other 3 in the league. Starting 3 guards would hurt their team rebounding & defense, which are already gonna be their 2 main weaknesses. That’s why Gafford probably starts at 5 & why an actual forward like Bertans, Avdija or Kuzma will start at the 3
KCP gives them a 3 and D wing, which is something they’ve desperately needed for years. I have to vehemently disagree with the idea he shouldn’t start at that spot
I didnt say anything about Hachimura that is disparaging or untruthful in any way. If he is starting next to Gafford, that hurts their spacing, and 2 guys that dont really pass the ball isnt a great fit next to their 2 guards that should have the ball in their hands more often than not. The other pieces are better next to them b/c they can play off of each other, and space the floor for them…I would also say that starting doesnt determine everything, and again, Hachimura could have a bigger, and more useful role if he is used in the way I’m talking about. Not saying he cant start either. If he starts, I think it should be at the 5. All of that could change if he exponentially improved. If his shooting or defense gets better, or he starts passing the ball/facilitating more often
If you’re saying they should play Kuzma and Hachimura at the 3/4 spots, I would really question that defensively…exponentially more than I would if KCP starts on the wing next to Kuzma. There are worlds where I could see Avdija or Bertans starting, but I would question it if Hachimura and Gafford are the other front court pieces in that lineup
Literally everything you said about Rui is untrue lol. You said he’s a non spacer & I’m guessing you’re saying he can’t shoot. He’s definitely a very good shooter. There’s zero spacing issues with him & Gafford or him & Trez in the frontcourt. In fact with Dinwiddie at point instead of Russ there should be even more space for Rui & Brad to work than last season. And as far as being a black hole, I’m just not sure where you even got that lol. If anything Kuzma is much more of a black hole type player. Rui is definitely a scorer 1st & foremost when he has the ball but he’s definitely a willing passer and fairly good court vision as well. And Rui is definitely not a 5 either smh I mean DC was extremely thin at 5 last season & he never played the 5, what makes you think he’ll play 5 now? He’s a prototypical 4, he’s literally their best young player, he’s started at the 4 every game since he was drafted top10 by DC & has proven that he can help them win games (even a playoff game) as their starting 4. Also you’re saying he’s not a good defender lol it’s just obvious you haven’t watched this kid play much. DC was a bad defensive team overall but Rui is definitely becoming a good defender. He could improve as a rebounder but he was 1 of DC’s better defenders when they were playing well at the end of the season
I can see that there is very little reason for me to continue this. Hopefully now that Scott Brooks is gone, they can figure out how to use certain guys, and try to complement their skills together…and I will reiterate that I never claimed Hachimura isn’t skilled. The idea he doesnt need to significantly improve is just not true