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Washington Wizards: Davis Bertans will bring needed three-point shooting

By Matt Levin

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 26: Davis Bertans #42 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on March 26, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 26: Davis Bertans #42 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on March 26, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Wizards severely lacked players who could knock down three-pointers at a large rate. The acquisition of Davis Bertans changes that.

The Washington Wizards acquired Davis Bertans from the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal that included the Brooklyn Nets, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The complete trade looks like this:

  • Brooklyn Nets receives: Rights to Aaron White
  • San Antonio Spurs receives: DeMarre Carroll
  • Washington Wizards receives: Davis Bertans

The Wizards will use their $8.6 million trade exception to acquire the “Latvian Laser.”

Davis Bertans is a 26-year-old, 6-foot-10, 225-pound, power forward out of Latvia. He began his professional career in the Latvian basketball league, then went to play in Slovenia where he gathered interest from the NBA. Bertans was a 2011 second round pick, selected 42nd overall by the Indiana Pacers. However, he was immediately traded to the Spurs in the trade that brought Kawhi Leonard to San Antonio.

Bertans was stashed and sent to play the next few years in Europe. While stashed, he played in both Serbia and Spain. While he was playing in Europe, Bertans suffered two torn ACL’s, a devastating knee injury that can sideline an athlete for a whole year. Both of his tears were in his right knee. When he fully recovered from his second ACL tear in 2016, Bertans finally joined the San Antonio Spurs.

Bertans spent three years with the Spurs before being traded to the Wizards and has remained healthy every year. Last season was his best year in the league, averaging 8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Bertans started in 12 games for the Spurs, as well.

Bertans is a stretch four, meaning he is a big man who can space the floor by shooting threes. In his three years in the NBA, he has an impressive career three-point percentage of just over 40 percent. Last season, Bertans shot nearly 43 percent from three while putting up 4.4 threes per game. This a huge pick up for the Wizards as they desperately needed a player who can consistently shoot threes.

After the trade, Wizard’s Interim General Manager, Tommy Sheppard, stated:

"“Davis is a player that will add depth to our front-court with his shooting ability, basketball IQ and work ethic. He was one of the top three-point shooters in the league last season and will allow us to stretch the floor.”"

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In the trade, the Wizards gave up the draft rights to Aaron White. White was the Wizard’s second-round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, selected 49th overall out of Iowa. Like Bertans, White was stashed overseas and never played a minute for the Wizards. Over the last four years, White has played in Germany, Russia, Lithuania.

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