Rumor: Celtics among teams interested in Davis Bertans

[rondofan1255]

Despite GM comments, Wizards continue to field calls for Davis Bertans

Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard was sincere in his comments last month about his intentions to re-sign sharpshooting forward Davis Bertans this summer, but that hasn't stopped teams from showing interest ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.

In addition to the Sixers, Hawks and Lakers, the Celtics and Nuggets have emerged as suitors for Bertans' services, NBC Sports Washington has learned. Bertans, 27, has enjoyed a breakout season, averaging 15.4 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 43.4 percent from three on 8.6 attempts per game.

Those last numbers are key. Bertans has established himself as one of the best three-point shooting big men in the NBA. He is on an expiring contract and thus has become a key trade target for teams in need of shooting.

How much the Wizards will actually entertain offers is unclear. He is one of their best players and the fact he has become one of the best catch-and-shoot scorers in the NBA is particularly enticing given the offensive style they like to play.

Many believe Bertans could make $15 million or more annually on his next contract, but the Wizards could pay him that if they choose to with Ian Mahinmi's $15.5 million salary set to come off the books.

The Wizards will play two of the teams that have targeted Bertans this week, the Celtics and Hawks. Bertans, though, remains out with a right quad injury and will miss at least their game against Boston.

That injury is healed to the point Bertans is expected to return soon and likely by the end of the weekend, according to one person familiar with his recovery. If Bertans comes back soon and plays like he did before the injury, the trade interest will only continue to heat up.

https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/despite-gm-comments-wizards-continue-field-calls-davis-bertans

[slamtheking]

liked Bertans early in his career.  wonder what the supposed offer for him would be for the C's?  can't imagine we'd be offering much particularly with that expected pay bump next year.

[liam]

He would fit in well helping to spread the floor and is a former Spurs player so he already has been drilled in playing the right way.

[Spicoli]

Would be a massive pick up for this team. This team has no dead eye shooters and could certainly use one.

[nickagneta]

He is probably better than anyone we would draft with the Memphis pick so matching salary and that pick is a good place to start to bring him in and control his long term rights.

[seancally]

I'm certainly interested in Bertans. Doesn't do much to shore up the frontline (size notwithstanding, he's not exactly the big man people are clamoring for) but would represent the other path to take us deeper into contention, which is scoring punch and depth off the bench.

[Phantom255x]

Poirier + Semi Ojeyele + 2020 Bucks 1st would work I believe according to the Trade Machine.

Other than that it's hard to find another way to match salaries since we need to send out ~4.5M and it's not obviously like we're giving up a Theis or Kanter.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Poirier + one of Edwards, Williams, Williams, Ojeleye, or Wanamaker gets it done salary-wise.

They probably want draft compensation too. I'd be willing to give a protected first that converts to two seconds for Bertans. He's a good player on a sizable contract that could be retraded at some point down the line.

As another aside, if they traded two-for-one, it would open up a roster spot for Evan Turner, who is a good teammate, veteran presence, and gives us another ball-handler.

As another aside, if Ainge wanted to trade Smart for a big, he could without giving up depth if they signed Evan Turner.

For example:

1. Poirier and Ojeleye (and a protected first) for Bertans

2. Sign Evan Turner

3. Smart and Edwards to the Wolves, Covington and Memphis pick to Pacers, Turner to the Celtics

Celtics Roster
Turner-Theis-Kanter
Tatum-Bertans-Williams-Williams
Brown-Langford-Green
Hayward-Turner
Walker-Wanamaker-Waters

[Fafnir]

He is probably better than anyone we would draft with the Memphis pick so matching salary and that pick is a good place to start to bring him in and control his long term rights.

He will be an unrestricted FA. We'd have bird rights, but no team control.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

He is probably better than anyone we would draft with the Memphis pick so matching salary and that pick is a good place to start to bring him in and control his long term rights.

He will be an unrestricted FA. We'd have bird rights, but no team control.

Didn't realize this. The trade machine has him for two years.

[Jvalin]

Poirier + one of Edwards, Williams, Williams, Ojeleye, or Wanamaker gets it done salary-wise.

They probably want draft compensation too. I'd be willing to give a protected first that converts to two seconds for Bertans. He's a good player on a sizable contract that could be retraded at some point down the line.

As another aside, if they traded two-for-one, it would open up a roster spot for Evan Turner, who is a good teammate, veteran presence, and gives us another ball-handler.

As another aside, if Ainge wanted to trade Smart for a big, he could without giving up depth if they signed Evan Turner.

For example:

1. Poirier and Ojeleye (and a protected first) for Bertans

2. Sign Evan Turner

3. Smart and Edwards to the Wolves, Covington and Memphis pick to Pacers, Turner to the Celtics

Celtics Roster
Turner-Theis-Kanter
Tatum-Bertans-Williams-Williams
Brown-Langford-Green
Hayward-Turner
Walker-Wanamaker-Waters

Smart + Edwards + Memphis pick for Turner?

Don't know man. It feels like an overpay.

I'd probably do it without the pick though. I would be hating myself for trading Smart, but I'd probably pull the trigger.

[nickagneta]

He is probably better than anyone we would draft with the Memphis pick so matching salary and that pick is a good place to start to bring him in and control his long term rights.

He will be an unrestricted FA. We'd have bird rights, but no team control.

Don't know why but thought he was restricted. Oh well, then yeah, the Memphis pick is too much.

[Boris Badenov]

He is probably better than anyone we would draft with the Memphis pick so matching salary and that pick is a good place to start to bring him in and control his long term rights.

He will be an unrestricted FA. We'd have bird rights, but no team control.

Bird or early Bird?

If the latter,  it's even more likely we would lose him, and I can't see giving up anything of real value just for a rental.

[byennie]

I wouldn't mind having him, but color me skeptical. He has all the same production as last year in San Antonio, except Washington lets him run for 30 minutes instead of 20. He doesn't seem to be much of a defender, and will be seeking a big contract in 1/2 season. We'd have to trade 2 players for him, or someone like Theis or Kanter or Langford (no way).

Theoretically, Semi and Poirier and a marginal pick? And then he comes here to take a huge cut in playing time?

[saltlover]

Poirier + one of Edwards, Williams, Williams, Ojeleye, or Wanamaker gets it done salary-wise.

They probably want draft compensation too. I'd be willing to give a protected first that converts to two seconds for Bertans. He's a good player on a sizable contract that could be retraded at some point down the line.

As another aside, if they traded two-for-one, it would open up a roster spot for Evan Turner, who is a good teammate, veteran presence, and gives us another ball-handler.

As another aside, if Ainge wanted to trade Smart for a big, he could without giving up depth if they signed Evan Turner.

For example:

1. Poirier and Ojeleye (and a protected first) for Bertans

2. Sign Evan Turner

3. Smart and Edwards to the Wolves, Covington and Memphis pick to Pacers, Turner to the Celtics

Celtics Roster
Turner-Theis-Kanter
Tatum-Bertans-Williams-Williams
Brown-Langford-Green
Hayward-Turner
Walker-Wanamaker-Waters

I’m pretty sure that Poirier+Edwards is a couple hundred k short of what’s needed to match for Bertans.  That said, I’d be on board with Poirier-Ojeleye and our pick (top-20 protected) or the Milwaukee pick, or Poirier-Rob Williams, no pick included.

But I’m not trading Smart for Miles Turner, straight up, much less adding our best pick.