By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Davis Bertans has been having an MIP-caliber season in his first year with the Washington Wizards and it would only seem natural for him to be a rather coveted player during the trade period.
Actually, according to Washington coach Scott Brooks… all NBA teams knocked on the door of the Wizards in order to potentially acquire the Bertans via trade. However, the Latvian forward’s current team wanted him even more and wasn’t actually willing to give him away.
“It’s funny. 29 teams wanted him yesterday, but one team REALLY wants him,” Brooks said per Fred Katz of The Athletic.
Bertans averages 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season so far. He has nearly doubled his scoring output in comparison with his previous season with the San Antonio Spurs, when he averaged 8.0 points.
Next week, he will participate in the All-Star Game’s 3-point contest for the first time in his career.
Brooks further elaborated on why there wasn’t even a scenario where the Wizards could trade Bertans while talking to The Morning Blitz show
“That was never even a discussion to even trade him,” Brooks said. “Once we had him and knew what he’s about and what type of player he is, he’s just not a shooter, he’s a big all around basketball player and can also shoot and one of the best shooters in the league. He has length, he’s 6’10”, shoots it quick, shoots it from many different spots on the floor. So it didn’t make any sense (to trade him), once we saw that we wanted to keep him and we wanted to keep him long term. He’s a terrific addition, and you know we also have John Wall waiting and can imagine those two guys on the floor together with the way John finds players? He might become a free agent at the end of the season, but we feel confident in what we have and how we’re building the program. He says nothing but great things in what he see’s in the city and with the organization. He’s a great player and a terrific kid, we’re excited to have him.”