Davis Bertans "the Latvian Laser"

[nate33]

All this talk about a "decent core" going forward and no mention of AP? He may ultimately turn out to be one of Tommy's most important finds, especially with his upside as a defender, rebounder and shotblocker.

He's 24. I'm not sure if he's going to get all that much better than he is now.

It would help a great deal if he could shoot 3's off the pick and pop. But given that he's a 59% FT shooter, I don't think that's in the cards.

I really don't have much hope of AP being able to shoot 3s...but I still think he can be a valuable piece off the bench. Every team needs a big man who can rebound and protect the paint. Yes, in an ideal world he'd also be able to knock down the 3. But don't really need his 3pt shooting. We have the scorers.

He's better than a 59% FT shooter...just check out his shooting form from the line. I expect AP to end up closer to a 70% FT shooter.

Edit to add: As far as getting much better after 24, tell that to Jordan McRae, tell that to Lou Williams. Coaching, hard work, experience/opportunity and, in AP's case, increased strength is what's most important...not age. In addition, it's not unusual for big men to be late bloomers.

If you think his upside is that of "a valuable piece off the bench" then you and I aren't really in disagreement. I don't think of AP as part of "the core" because I think he'll likely pan out to be merely a bench big, and those guys are a dime-a-dozen. There's always a Willie Cauley-Stein or Skal Labissiere available for cheap in free agency. The hard part is finding someone a step above that tier.

[MagicBagley18]

What’s the temperature of the fan base here guys- do you all think bertans will be moved and if so what’s a realistic expectation of a return for him?

[doclinkin]

What’s the temperature of the fan base here guys- do you all think bertans will be moved and if so what’s a realistic expectation of a return for him?

The GM likes him and intends to re-sign him. Our GM has been heavy in the international scene and seemingly is trying to build an offensive system in the Euroball model. Long ranged Bigs who pass are key to this effort. They've done eveything they can to make him comfortable here. They even inked a countryman of his In Anzejs Pacecniks and both have been palling around with members of the hockey team. Bertans has been effusive about the team atmosphere and his role and fit with the squad, all things being equal he's made it clear he likes it here and would like to be here.

The "all things being equal' part is the question though. He's a pending free agent and there are at least a couple teams with significant cap room who have been sniffing around. This team has deep pockets currently and is trying to create a culture change here, they have proven willing to overspend to keep guys they like, and have reserves of resources now that Laurene Powell Jobs is a part owner (savvy businesswoman and billionaire philanthropist who is the widow of Apple magnate Steve Jobs). The team is spending profligately on upgrading the front office, medical staff, team culture, and facilities. They recently built a arena for their WNBA staff and are trying to create something like the European club system where they can recruit players early and train them in the style they like best. Players like Bertans are key to that effort.

So, if Bertans wants to sign here they will do what they can to keep him. If it looks like teams will overpay to try to steal him then they may choose to be fiscally responsible since we have two Max level players in Wall and Beal. However even that is not a done deal.

The team has committed to trying to build a contender around those two players though, and Bertans fits exactly their offensive needs as Wall has always been tops in the league in finding killer snipers with his drive and kick game. Beal too enjoys the relief from defensive pressure that a catch and shoot killer like Bertans provides.

Still, you can't rule out a godfather offer if someone comes sniffing and offering a package of picks and high calibre prospects. Since our GM comes from a scouting background he has a long list of players that covets from a distance. In the league and overseas. He likes having extra picks lined up in all future years if possible. Isn't scared to draft and stash Euro prospects.

What can a team offer that both improves prospects for a Beal/Wall core in the short term and adds talent long term in the way of picks. That's what Sheppard will listen for.

[MagicBagley18]

What’s the temperature of the fan base here guys- do you all think bertans will be moved and if so what’s a realistic expectation of a return for him?

The GM likes him and intends to re-sign him. Our GM has been heavy in the international scene and seemingly is trying to build an offensive system in the Euroball model. Long ranged Bigs who pass are key to this effort. They've done eveything they can to make him comfortable here. They even inked a countryman of his In Anzejs Pacecniks and both have been palling around with members of the hockey team. Bertans has been effusive about the team atmosphere and his role and fit with the squad, all things being equal he's made it clear he likes it here and would like to be here.

The "all things being equal' part is the question though. He's a pending free agent and there are at least a couple teams with significant cap room who have been sniffing around. This team has deep pockets currently and is trying to create a culture change here, they have proven willing to overspend to keep guys they like, and have reserves of resources now that Laurene Powell Jobs is a part owner (savvy businesswoman and billionaire philanthropist who is the widow of Apple magnate Steve Jobs). The team is spending profligately on upgrading the front office, medical staff, team culture, and facilities. They recently built a arena for their WNBA staff and are trying to create something like the European club system where they can recruit players early and train them in the style they like best. Players like Bertans are key to that effort.

So, if Bertans wants to sign here they will do what they can to keep him. If it looks like teams will overpay to try to steal him then they may choose to be fiscally responsible since we have two Max level players in Wall and Beal. However even that is not a done deal.

The team has committed to trying to build a contender around those two players though, and Bertans fits exactly their offensive needs as Wall has always been tops in the league in finding killer snipers with his drive and kick game. Beal too enjoys the relief from defensive pressure that a catch and shoot killer like Bertans provides.

Still, you can't rule out a godfather offer if someone comes sniffing and offering a package of picks and high calibre prospects. Since our GM comes from a scouting background he has a long list of players that covets from a distance. In the league and overseas.

Thank you for the insight I appreciate it.

[doclinkin]

Thank you for the insight I appreciate it.

What can a team offer that both improves prospects for a Beal/Wall core in the short term and adds talent long term in the way of picks. That's what Sheppard will listen for.

[MagicBagley18]

Thank you for the insight I appreciate it.

What can a team offer that both improves prospects for a Beal/Wall core in the short term and adds talent long term in the way of picks. That's what Sheppard will listen for.

Gotcha. Guess it comes down to what the wiz are willing to pay. It’s a pretty bad free agent group and I suspect someone chooses to overpay bertans

[Dark Faze]

Wouldn't trade him for a late first. He's an excellent fit, is 6'10, really fun to watch and has been something around top 5 in offensive value for his position for two years now.

We have a GM that's willing to probe the G-League and be a part of crafty deals to acquire talent on the cheap. If money is tight, I have faith Tommy can navigate things. Bertans will not be hard to move if we're suddenly interested in bottoming out, or if Brad wants a trade and we decide a complete rebuild is necessary.

Right now I'd pretty happily hold off on a complete rebuild for a few years if it means 5-8 seed playoff basketball and a team that's really enjoyable to watch night in and out. I don't need a chip right now. I'd be really happy to just have playoff basketball back in DC.

[dckingsfan]

I am very high on the combination of Bryant/Wagner. But I am a fan (irrational exuberance and all that). I am very high on Brown/Bonga, I think they are going to be very solid and will improve nicely next season (definitely an assumption ). I am equally high on Wall/Smith being much better than IT/Smith. And I think that Beal is going to return back to form next year.

I'm not all that high on the combo of Bryant/Wagner. I think they're kind of redundant. I like them both, but I really only want to keep one - I'm not sure which at the moment. I want a rim protecting center paired with one of them.

I like Brown and think Bonga has potential. I think at least one of them will pan out to be a serviceable starter, but they're not difference makers unless they make substantial improvement going forward. (Their age makes that a possibility though.)

I agree that Wall will be a massive upgrade. I think he is going to be close to his former self - maybe a slightly remade version with a better outside shot and less penetration.

I am not very high on Hachimura - I like you wanted Brandon Clarke (or should I say I was on the Brandon Clarke bandwagon after he was brought to my attention, I am much more of an international hoops guy than a college basketball guy) and I would have done whatever I could have done to trade down and grab Clarke.

Hachimura has been underwhelming so far. His best quality is that he's reportedly a freakishly hard worker and very smart. Hopefully, that means he'll get much better over time. I just wish he had better rebounding instincts.

I can understand your feeling on Bryant/Wagner - I am still much more positive on the position this year than last year. If we bring in a backup rim protecting C and move one of the two - I would be good with that. Still a vast improvement (IMO from the start of last year).

My keys to Brown next year - rebound, rebound, rebound and increase your TS%. My prediction:

Code: Select all

Season   TS%     DRB%
18/19   0.487   16.60
19/20   0.525   20.90
20/21   0.563   24.00

And I think Bonga will take some nice strides next year as well. And since (like Rui) isn't a good rebounder, he can still make a solid contribution as a SF. But - that 3 point shot is going to need to fall for him (like it has for Brown in January).

[payitforward]

The GM likes him and intends to re-sign him. Our GM has been heavy in the international scene and seemingly is trying to build an offensive system in the Euroball model. Long ranged Bigs who pass are key to this effort. They've done eveything they can to make him comfortable here. They even inked a countryman of his In Anzejs Pacecniks and both have been palling around with members of the hockey team. Bertans has been effusive about the team atmosphere and his role and fit with the squad, all things being equal he's made it clear he likes it here and would like to be here.

The "all things being equal' part is the question though. He's a pending free agent and there are at least a couple teams with significant cap room who have been sniffing around. This team has deep pockets currently and is trying to create a culture change here, they have proven willing to overspend to keep guys they like, and have reserves of resources now that Laurene Powell Jobs is a part owner (savvy businesswoman and billionaire philanthropist who is the widow of Apple magnate Steve Jobs). The team is spending profligately on upgrading the front office, medical staff, team culture, and facilities. They recently built a arena for their WNBA staff and are trying to create something like the European club system where they can recruit players early and train them in the style they like best. Players like Bertans are key to that effort.

So, if Bertans wants to sign here they will do what they can to keep him. If it looks like teams will overpay to try to steal him then they may choose to be fiscally responsible since we have two Max level players in Wall and Beal. However even that is not a done deal.

The team has committed to trying to build a contender around those two players though, and Bertans fits exactly their offensive needs as Wall has always been tops in the league in finding killer snipers with his drive and kick game. Beal too enjoys the relief from defensive pressure that a catch and shoot killer like Bertans provides.

Still, you can't rule out a godfather offer if someone comes sniffing and offering a package of picks and high calibre prospects. Since our GM comes from a scouting background he has a long list of players that covets from a distance. In the league and overseas. He likes having extra picks lined up in all future years if possible. Isn't scared to draft and stash Euro prospects.

What can a team offer that both improves prospects for a Beal/Wall core in the short term and adds talent long term in the way of picks. That's what Sheppard will listen for.

This is quite insightful, not to mention well-written & thorough.

Our best year saw a healthy Wall & Beal supplemented by an even better version of a "catch and shoot killer like Bertans," namely Otto Porter before his physical problems (just about as efficient a shooter as Bertans & far far better at all the other stuff). We won 49 games & didn't get out round 2. For that reason, one has to wonder how likely we are to build a contender around Wall/Beal even if we retain Bertans.

Obviously, the 30-year-old, post-injury John Wall would have to return to the level of his very best year.

In our favor, we should soon have to have a much stronger roster than we did back then. Bryant will be better than Gortat. & after Wall, Beal, Porter & Gortat, the quality of our players fell off a cliff that year. Kieff, Oubre, Jason Smith, then-rookie Tomas Satoransky, Trey Burke, Marcus Thornton & Brandon Jennings combined to play almost 40% of our minutes.

We're building a better, young home-grown roster now.

[tontoz]

6 hours ago. Bertans will be available for Friday's game against the Hawks, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.

[doclinkin]

Our best year saw a healthy Wall & Beal supplemented by an even better version of a "catch and shoot killer like Bertans," namely Otto Porter before his physical problems (just about as efficient a shooter as Bertans & far far better at all the other stuff). We won 49 games & didn't get out round 2. For that reason, one has to wonder how likely we are to build a contender around Wall/Beal even if we retain Bertans.

Obviously, the 30-year-old, post-injury John Wall would have to return to the level of his very best year.

The only path to championship contention for a Wall/Beal squad is for the team to land an MVP calibre franchise forward in the draft. But that's the case for every team. Bertans is not the next Kawhi, LeBron, Durant. However, Tommy and Ted want to give Brad and John a shot to play with a squad that has a complete roster of decent developing talent and a culture of hard work to see how far they can go.

I don't think Wall has to perform at his career best year. However, I think a slowed and matured Wall has a chance to play more efficient ball now that he likely lost that top end gear. Many of his turnovers have been offensive fouls or driving at top speed into the teeth of the defense hoping for a bail-out call by the referees. In addition the feeling that he has had to carry the load by himself contributed to the wear and tear injuries where coaches were playing him 40 minutes a night. He would commonly coast and conserve energy on the defensive side of the ball, only turning up the intensity at both ends when facing a top team or in post season play.

Given a competent attacking PG behind Wall, with a similar style, the team can afford to play him a reasonable work load without a drop off or alteration in style. In any Sato vs Ish debate there is no question the squad had to play two entirely different rule sets. And for all that Otto was efficient, he was often reluctant to shoot unless he was wide open. Bertans does not have that issue. He always thinks he is wide open.

Consider also the John Wall effect, wherein the team commonly led the league in assisted corner threes and kick out threes. Otto benefitted from this some, but many other players had career years in offensive efficiency benefitting from the quick passes of even the hobbled John Wall. In Bertans we have a player who is an efficient gunner even without Wall. Could he also benefit from the John Wall effect? Wall has been noted for his speed but his vision and length and passing are underappreciated.

Players like Bryant enjoyed solid efficiency numbers in brief play with Wall. A veteran point guard can make a rookie scorer like Rui more efficient by finding him when he is in good position to score. Wagner hits a nice pick and pop shot, playing with Wall he will get the opportunity. And as you say our bench is better now than it has been. So. Right 49 wins and an early ouster from the playoffs was our ceiling then and we may not be appreciably better than that in an improving East, but shoot, compared to that team I'd much rather take wins in the high 40's with a team of young players who at least have the hope of improvement. So. Yeah. We agree.

[payitforward]

We do, yes. & I think the key point you make is that the FO (i.e. on Ted's strategy) is to give the Wall/Beal/plus squad a chance to get good again & "see how far they can go," which is almost certainly far short of a title contender.

If the idea is to do that while continuing to amass young resources for the post-Wall era when, somehow, we'll actually become a contender, then... who knows?

As long as we keep getting those young players in large numbers, we have a future -- & that, obviously, is the key difference between the Ernie era & Tommy's tenure. Come June, we'll have our high R1 pick & Chicago's high R2 pick. If we trade for another R2 pick, or if Tommy makes another one of those brilliant trades like the LA deal, & once again we get young "somethings" for nothing, that will tell us a lot.

So far so good. Amazing to me is that it is more fun to watch the Wizards now, to be a Wizards fan, than it has been for some years -- despite our record.

& here's what is especially weird: if we have the same record in the next 20 games as in the last 10, & so do the 4 teams above us, we'll be 1/2 game out of the playoffs with 25 games left in the season!

[BearlyBallin]

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?s=20

Lasers in the 3pt shooting contest.
New Mt Dew Zone/green ball added, 2 shots 6 feet behind the 3 point line.

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?s=20

[TheBabyMaker]

That's great for Latvian Laser. Tough competition in that lineup.

[daSwami]

The Laser's trade value has never been higher. Just sayin'.

[nate33]

The Laser's trade value has never been higher. Just sayin'.

... and never will be higher.

[gambitx777]

If we get a good offer take it. If it's a FRP and a young guy jump on it.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using RealGM mobile app

[Shoe]

In case anyone thought we were trading Bertans

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[nate33]

If we get a good offer take it. If it's a FRP and a young guy jump on it.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using RealGM mobile app

Milwaukee would probably consider the Indy pick and a decent filler contract (Brown or Connington?)
Philly would probably consider it for their 1st and one of their future Detroit 2nds (with Mike Scott as filler).

Boston might consider the MEM 1st, but they have trouble getting the filler together.
The Clippers have a pick and filler to trade, but they're probably looking for a big or a defensive-minded forward.
Houston has the the ability to absorb his salary in their existing 4-team trade, but they only have their future 2022 1st to trade.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

All of this is why I still don't really understand why Wall hasn't played yet.

If Bertans really benefits from the "Wall effect" and if Wall really benefits from the "Bertans effect," it would minimize our incentive to trade him. But, we haven't seen evidence one way or another. It would be nice to see Wall with sufficient burn with a variety of the interchangeable parts on our roster in order to properly assess the value of our assets.