Davis Bertans wasn’t boasting Wednesday when discussing his recent invitation to the 3-point contest. The Wizards’ sharpshooter will join seven others to compete later this month at All-Star Weekend in Chicago.
He was simply confident.
“I always like my chances when it comes to shooting,” Bertans said.
The bigger question, however, facing Bertans isn’t whether he can win the competition. Rather, it’s: Will the 27-year-old still be representing the Wizards by the time it happens on Saturday, Feb. 15?
With the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, the Wizards hold one of the more intriguing players sought after on the market. Because of Bertans’ 6-foot-10 size, smooth shot and ability to space the floor, contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly interested in trading for him.
Whether Bertans is truly available, however, is a different topic. The Wizards have been reluctant to part with the Latvian, who is seen as part of the team’s future. The Wizards will have to re-sign Bertans once he reaches free agency this summer, but general manager Tommy Sheppard said in December the team has every intention of bringing him back.
The Wizards have been down this path before. Otto Porter was “off-limits” last year, only to be traded to the Chicago Bulls at the deadline. Circumstances change. Plans readjust. Better offers are made.
“Of course,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said when asked if Bertans will still be with the Wizards after the deadline.
“I love it here,” Bertans said.
Arguments can be made for — and against — trading Bertans. Like any deal, it depends on the compensation. Still, even a low 2020 first-round pick could be valuable as the Wizards look to reshape their roster. Bertans, who is making $7.2 million this season, will likely command a sizable pay increase in the offseason.
Bertans also overlaps with the development of 2019 first-rounder Rui Hachimura. Should the Wizards pay Bertans eight figures if he can’t play in crunch time? Of course, Hachimura and Bertans could share the floor together, but that brings plenty of defensive problems. The Wizards have a putrid 125.8 defensive rating when that happens.
Washington could always play Bertans ahead of Hachimura in the clutch, but that would run contrary to the team’s plans for the Japanese native.
Brooks said he believes the two can coexist together.
“Rui knows how to play with Bertans,” he said. “Bertans can play with anybody. He can guard perimeter guys as well. I think he’s actually better guarding perimeter guys than bigs. There’s not many guys who shoot the ball like him.”
Bertan’s shooting prowess is the key reason to keep him. Simply put, it’s rare to find a shooter of his quality — let alone size. He ranks 10th in 3-point field goal percentage with a career-high 42.9, taking 8.4 attempts per game. He averaged just 4.4 attempts last year with the San Antonio Spurs.
Bertans’ skill set also meshes well with star Bradley Beal, and should, in theory, click with John Wall once the point guard returns from a torn Achilles. Back in July, Sheppard said the Wizards have to identify the right pieces to build around Beal. Bertans, acquired in a three-team trade in the offseason, has fit that vision so far.
Washington’s drive to appease Beal, who signed a two-year, $72 contract extension in October, could be another major factor in keeping Bertans. It’s also why the Wizards are rumored to be “buyers” before Thursday’s deadline.
Even though Washington sits 4½ games back of the playoffs, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on a podcast recently that Washington was “quietly trying to buy,” floating Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson as an option.
“I don’t think you make any decisions without your business partners,” Sheppard said in July. “I look at (Wall and Beal) and they’re business partners with us.”
Across the league, this year’s trade deadline lacks the “splashy” names compared to previous years, which could increase Bertans’ value. Some of the other top names — wing Robert Covington, center Clint Capela — have already been moved. Covington and Capela were part of a lengthy four-team, 12-player trade Wednesday in which Covington went from Minnesota to Houston and Capela went from Houston to Atlanta.
Other rumored players to be on the move could be Golden State’s D’Angelo Russell and New Orleans’ Jrue Holiday.
Teams have until 3 p.m. Eastern to make a deal.
“I try not to think about it,” Bertans said. “I’m just trying to think about the present. … My job is to come in here, stay in shape, work out, be ready for the games and help the team in any way I can. If (a trade) happens, it happens.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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