Davis Bertans was always going to be useful to the Thunder in some form or fashion. The 3-point shooting forward has a big contract, which is something Oklahoma City lacks. Typically, it’s not ideal to bring on a bad NBA contract, but on a roster with so many rookie deals and bargain snags, a big contract is exactly what Oklahoma City needs. It provides flexibility in a trade and gives the team options moving forward.
But Bertans might be more than just a contract for the young, building Thunder team. He could actually help this squad compete right now.
After securing a big contract with the Wizards, Bertans needed a change of scenery and was dealt to Dallas. With the Mavericks, the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter could never quite find a role. The team didn’t have much of a traditional big man, starting Dwight Powell most nights, so Bertans was always asked to do a bit more than he was capable of.
Through the bad and the good, Bertans has always been a reliable shooter. Even with the Mavericks, he was a 39% 3-point shooter a season ago. Over the course of his entire career, he’s a 39.8% outside shooter.
Now, it looks like Bertans is finding confidence once again. Playing for Team Latvia, his role has been redefined and he’s having success on the court as one of the team’s key players.
In arguably Latvia’s biggest game of the tournament, an upset win over Spain, he netted 16 points and three rebounds on 3-of-7 shooting from downtown. In the team’s blowout win over Brazil, this one to advance to the tournament’s final eight, he added 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting, scoring exclusively from outside.
His shooting stroke and confidence from the perimeter could be exactly what a team like the Thunder needs. It wouldn’t be smart to deal off his contract and get nothing in return, much less waive him altogether. If the Thunder are going to make a big splash on the trade market, a contract like Bertans’ will be exactly what it takes to make the deal go through.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's style of play, having an elite catch-and-shoot weapon at Bertans' size could really help the Thunder in a multitude of ways. Outside of Isaiah Joe, Oklahoma City doesn't have many sharpshooters. On the floor, Bertans plays with an edge too, bringing confidence and a little bit of trash talk. That could be exactly what this team needs.
Either way, it's better to be patient with his contract and evaluate options down the road. A strong FIBA showing should play in his favor, though.
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