Washington Wizards: 3 predictions for the NBA’s trade deadline
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 18: The Washington Wizards bench reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter of the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 18, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Wizards defeated the 76ers 112-93. 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.(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) \](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fec1a51bf23fa51a5f64791d09c9669fc638e3c93b71bf99450c43a76658f67f9.jpg "PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 18: The Washington Wizards bench reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter of the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center on October 18, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Wizards defeated the 76ers 112-93. 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.(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) \")
Washington Wizards trade Davis Bertans
While most fans undoubtedly want “the Latvian Laser” to stick around through the end of the season and beyond, I predict that Washington will sell high on him at the deadline.
Bertans is averaging 15.3 points on a career-high .434 shooting clip from behind-the-arc, and has more suitors than there are current active players on the Wizards roster.
And his market doesn’t have to be limited to just contending teams. Whoever trades for the sharpshooter will acquire his Bird Rights, granting them the opportunity to offer him the highest dollar mark in the summer, when he enters restricted free agency.
As of today, there are five teams that have been firmly reported as being interested in Bertans and his services: the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, and the championship aspiring Los Angeles Lakers.
Each of those teams has some sort of draft pick and young player that would certainly tempt general manager Tommy Sheppard and the front office to make a deal.
It also helps Washington that there is such a large market for Minnesota’s Covington. The Timberwolves are bound to sell high on their three-and-d expert, and a lot of teams will look for cheaper options. Cue the Wizards and Bertans.
In times like these, where Washington sits smack in the middle of tanking and contending, betting on the guaranteed as opposed to the uncertain is often the move to make.