Davis Bertans Rumors | Hoops Rumors

International Notes: Bertans, Lee, Bogdanovic, Jokic

October 6th, 2024 at 9:01am CST by Arthur Hill

After changing teams frequently in the NBA, Davis Bertans was looking for stability when he decided to move overseas. In an interview with Mozzart Sport (translation via BasketNews), Bertans said part of the attraction of joining the new Dubai Basketball Club is long-term security.

“I also got a contract for three years, which was very important for my family, so that I don’t have to move every year,” he said.

Bertans was traded from Washington to Dallas at the 2022 deadline, then was moved to Oklahoma City in a 2023 draft-night deal. He got sent to Charlotte at this year’s deadline and was waived by the Hornets in July.

There were rumors this summer that Bertans might return to his former Partizan team in Belgrade, but he said that never came close to happening.

“I didn’t get an offer to go to Partizan,” Bertans said. “Maybe there was a chance to go for one season, but it wasn’t for me. I wanted to spend a longer time in the same city. I was traded four times in two years in the NBA, it’s very difficult for the family.”

There’s more international news to pass along:

There’s a growing market for Saben Lee, who signed with Turkey’s Manisa Basket in August, according to Aris Barkas of Eurohoops. Sources tell Barkas that Fenerbahce is nearing a deal with the former NBA point guard after losing Scottie Wilbekin with a torn ACL. Maccabi is also interested in adding Lee, Barkas adds in a separate story, but he may be hesitant to play in Israel due to the fear of a war. Lee recently had a stellar debut in the Basketball Champions League with 36 points and six assists.
Former NBA center Pero Antic hopes to convince Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic to join Belgrade’s Crvena Zvezda once his NBA career is done, according to BasketNews. “We corresponded two days ago,” said Antic, who’s now president of the Basketball Federation of North Macedonia. “We’re in constant contact, we joke, we’ve been roommates. I’ll bring him to Crvena Zvezda sometime. He said that he would finish his career in Partizan, but I think that he will do it in Crvena Zvezda.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said over the weekend that Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic have all requested exhibition games in their native countries. However, Jokic told reporters that he never asked for a game in Serbia, BasketNews relays. “I don’t have approval to talk about it, I didn’t demand it,” Jokic said in Abu Dhabi, where the Nuggets are playing their second preseason contest today.

International Notes: Bertans, Caboclo, Yurtseven, Toohey

September 16th, 2024 at 8:01am CST by Arthur Hill

Davis Bertans‘ new contract with Dubai Basketball Club is one of the major international moves of the offseason, but general manager Dejan Kamenjasevic reveals that the team didn’t have to break the bank to sign the longtime NBA player, according to BasketNews. Without going into detail about the deal, Kamenjasevic states that he was able to add Bertans while staying within his planned budget.

“He played in the ABA League before moving to the NBA for seven seasons, where he earned millions, so he’s financially secure,” Kamenjasevic explained. “We’ve been saying this all along, but people didn’t believe us. Now, players, referees, and teams are starting to see that Dubai is a legitimate project with stability. The budget is still below the (4 million Euros) figure we mentioned, even though many think we paid more to sign Bertans. He didn’t come for the money. He came for the vision and the project.”

Bertans had been in the NBA since the 2016/17 season, playing for five teams and landing a five-year, $80MM contract in 2020. He’s joining a new venture in Dubai and will be the biggest star on a club that’s preparing for its first season in the ABA (Adriatic) League.

“If we look at the players who returned from the NBA to Europe this year — Cedi Osman, Sasha Vezenkov, Evan Fournier, Usman Garuba, and now Bertans — only Davis Bertans had a real role in the NBA,” Kamenjasevic added. “It’s a miracle because we didn’t just bring in someone who sat on the bench; we brought in a player who played.”

There’s more international news to pass along:

In an interview with SDNA, Bruno Caboclo says he was waiting for another NBA opportunity, so his options were limited when he decided to play overseas. He reportedly had a workout with the Warriors in late August, but he wound up signing with Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel. “It was a decision that came late for me,” Caboclo said. “I was trying to go to the NBA after the season ended. I didn’t have that opportunity in the end, all the clubs had already signed players and Hapoel was the only option but also the best possible for me.”
Omer Yurtseven is happy to reunite with Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman even though they have clashed during their time with the Turkish national team, Eurohoops relays. “The team welcomed me with open arms from the first day,” Yurtseven told COSMOTE TV. “I would like to thank everyone on the team, especially coach Ataman. I feel like I am playing at home.”
Alex Toohey raised his draft stock with his performance during the NBL Blitz in Australia, according to Olgun Uluc of ESPN. The 20-year-old forward scored 26 and 24 points in the two games he played while displaying a larger frame and an improved outside jumper. Nets general manager Sean Marks was among several NBA executives and scouts who attended the event.

Davis Bertans Signs With Dubai BC

September 10th, 2024 at 7:47am CST by Luke Adams

Veteran NBA forward Davis Bertans has signed with Dubai Basketball Club, the team announced on social media (Instagram link).

Rumors circulated over the weekend that Bertans was on the verge of heading back overseas and joining Dubai on a multiyear deal that will include NBA outs. The newly formed franchise, which is entering its first season, will compete in the ABA (Adriatic) League in 2024/25.

“Davis Bertans clearly brings exceptional basketball talent to the table,” head coach Jurica Golemac said in a statement. “As an eight-season NBA player with substantial European experience, his arrival underscores the commitment and ambition of our project, while also greatly enhancing the credibility of our newly established franchise.”

The 42nd overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Bertans played in his home country of Latvia in addition to Slovenia, Serbia, and Spain from 2007-16 before eventually making the move stateside. The 6’10” forward began his career with the Spurs, then enjoyed a breakout 2019/20 season in Washington that earned him a five-year, $80MM contract from the Wizards as a free agent in the summer of 2020.

However, Bertans’ production and playing time dipped following the signing of that contract, and he was eventually traded to Dallas in 2022’s Kristaps Porzingis deal before being salary-dumped to Oklahoma City during the 2023 draft when the Thunder moved up for Cason Wallace. Bertans was subsequently sent to Charlotte as the primary salary-matching piece in the Gordon Hayward trade at the 2024 deadline, then was waived by the Hornets earlier this offseason.

Over the course of his eight NBA seasons, Bertans established himself as an extremely dangerous outside shooter, making 39.6% of his career three-point attempts. While his combination of size and floor-spacing ability had value, the 31-year-old didn’t bring a whole lot else to the table. He averaged 7.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game across 475 career regular season contests (41 starts).

Bertans had been planning to work out for the Warriors in the hopes of receiving an opportunity to compete for a roster spot, but will forgo that opportunity in favor of guaranteed money in Dubai.

Davis Bertans No Longer Working Out For Warriors, Received Overseas Offer

September 7th, 2024 at 10:56am CST by Tristan Tucker

After initially planning to accept an invitation to work out for the Warriors, forward Davis Bertans will no longer audition for Golden State, according to NBA insider Marc Stein (Twitter link), who confirms the veteran free agent has received a contract offer from Dubai BC. While Stein’s tweet doesn’t indicate Bertans has already signed this offer, all signs seem to point toward him doing so.

Some details about Bertans’ contract offer are already in and an earlier report from Sport24.gr (relayed by Sportando) indicating Bertans would sign with Dubai BC signals the deal is on track to being finalized. According to Stein, the offer is for a multiyear contract with “out” conditions that would allow him to make an NBA return down the line.

Bertans, 31, is an eight-year NBA veteran who has played professionally since he was 19. The Latvian forward debuted in the NBA in 2016/17 and has made stops with the Spurs, Wizards, Mavericks, Thunder and Hornets. In 475 career games (41 starts), he has averaged 7.7 points while making 39.6% of his 2,234 career three-point attempts.

After beginning his NBA career with the Spurs, Bertans showed promise before being traded to the Wizards. With Washington, Bertans had the most prolific year of his career, averaging 15.4 PPG and 4.5 RPG while making 42.4% of his 8.7 three-point attempts per game, developing into one of the premier outside threats in the league.

Bertans was rewarded with a lucrative contract extension, but after a year in which he finished in 11th for the Most Improved Player award and eighth in Sixth Man of the Year voting, his production gradually declined. He bounced between the Wizards, Mavs and Thunder as a fringe rotation piece before landing with the Hornets this past season.

Bertans rebuilt his value in 28 games with the Hornets, averaging 9.3 points on a 36.7% clip from deep in his last 24 appearances of the season. While that led to some reported NBA interest from the Warriors, Bertans is ultimately heading overseas for the first time since 2015/16.

Davis Bertans To Work Out For Warriors

September 2nd, 2024 at 8:10pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Free agent forward Davis Bertans has been invited to work out for the Warriors, Marc Stein tweets. Bertans is looking to receive a training camp invite.

Bertans became a free agent when the Hornets waived him in early July. He had a $16MM salary for 2024/25, but only $5.25MM of that total was guaranteed before Charlotte cut him loose.

Bertans, 31, was dealt to the Hornets from the Thunder midway through the 2023/24 season in the Gordon Hayward trade. He saw his role expand on a lottery-bound Charlotte squad, averaging 8.8 points on a .394/.375/.889 shooting line in 28 appearances.

Once one of the more sought-after stretch fours in the league, Bertans signed a five-year, $80MM contract in 2020.

He spent one full and one partial season with Washington after it re-signed him, then was dealt to Dallas. He came off the bench for one-and-a-half seasons with the Mavericks, then was moved to the Thunder in an offseason trade. He saw limited action in 15 games with OKC before he was dealt to the Hornets.

Bertans is a career 39.6% three-point shooter. He’s averaged 7.7 points in 18.0 minutes in 475 career games.

The Warriors have 15 players on their standard roster but three of them have non-guaranteed deals, as our roster counts show.

Eastern Notes: Sixers, Pagliuca, Young, Murray

August 13th, 2024 at 9:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Sixers’ roster has one glaring absence — a traditional power forward. KJ Martin is the only power forward listed on Philadelphia’s roster, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes, and he’s 6’6”.

The Sixers have a roster opening and there are a number of power forward options. They have some interest in reuniting with Marcus Morris Sr. and are also considering Davis Bertans, as Pompey previously reported.

However, a number of other Eastern Conference elites — including the Celtics and Knicks — thrived in the regular season and playoffs with lineups that didn’t include traditional power forwards. With that in mind, the Sixers could employ Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr or Caleb Martin at that spot, Pompey suggests.

We have more Eastern Conference news:

Celtics manager general partner Steve Pagliuca is also co-owner of Atalanta, an Italian Serie A soccer team. Atalanta prevailed in the Europa League this season, giving Pagliuca two championships to celebrate. “I don’t know if it’ll ever happen again,” Pagliuca told James Horncastle of The Athletic. “I just have to be grateful that I was able to be a part of that with all the great people at the Celtics and all the great people at Atalanta.”
Trae Young said it was disappointing his partnership with Dejounte Murray on the Hawks didn’t produce the desired results, he told the Sixers’ George on his latest Podcast P broadcast (Youtube link). “It’s tough cause we wanted to win. We’re not the first duo that couldn’t work and we’re not going to be the last,” Young said of his two seasons with Murray. The Hawks dealt Murray to the Pelicans for a package that included forward Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels and two first-round picks.
In case you missed it, there’s only one team in the NBA that currently has cap room — the Pistons. Get the details here.

Sixers, Cavs Among Teams In Mix For Marcus Morris

August 2nd, 2024 at 8:58am CST by Luke Adams

Veteran forward Marcus Morris remains unsigned over a month into free agency, but it sounds like he has no shortage of options. Sources tell Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer that the Sixers, Cavaliers, Hornets, Pistons, Heat, Pelicans, and Timberwolves have all shown some level of interest in Morris.

According to Pompey, Philadelphia and Cleveland appear to be the most likely landing spots for Morris. The Sixers are the 34-year-old’s hometown team and could use a power forward, but they’re limited to offering a minimum-salary contract. Morris finished last season with the Cavaliers, who are willing to offer him nearly double the minimum salary, sources tell Pompey.

Morris said that he “really enjoyed” his time in Cleveland and referred to the organization as “top-notch,” but also admitted he likes the idea of returning to his hometown team in Philadelphia.

“It felt like it was something that just helped my career,” Morris said of playing for the Sixers earlier in the 2023/24 season. “You know sometimes you’ve been doing it for so long that you find different things that get you up for playing. Being home is one of those things for me. … I just felt so free. I just felt so much love. So it’s like, yeah, man, I would definitely entertain coming back. I just hope … we can get something going hopefully.”

As Pompey explains, the 76ers currently have 13 players on standard contracts and will likely keep a 15-man roster spot open to start the regular season, so they’ll likely add just one more player. It’s unclear if Morris is their top target. Sources tell The Inquirer that Philadelphia also has some interest in sharpshooting power forward Davis Bertans.

As for the Cavs, this is just my speculation, but they may want resolution on Isaac Okoro‘s restricted free agency before they move forward with other free agents. Whether they re-sign Okoro or sign-and-trade him, resolving his situation would give them a better idea of where their team salary stands relative to the luxury tax line and tax aprons.

As Morris weighs his options and waits for offers, he tells Pompey that he’s willing to be patient as he prioritizes finding the right fit.

“I know the game. I’ve been around 14 years. I’m still playing,” the veteran forward said. “I just want to come in and help a team, be a voice, be a vet, but still compete at a high level. I also want to be somewhere I already know what the team needs. I want to be a piece that’s versatile and playing, either starting or coming off (the bench), and helping younger guys and things like that.

“… I’m just taking my time, because everybody needs a vet that can still play and (be a part of a) good situation in the locker room. I’m just taking my time to see what comes to be, what’s good for both sides.”

Scotto’s Latest: Jones, Kennard, Martin, Okogie, Knicks, Shamet, Klintman

July 12th, 2024 at 6:31pm CST by Tristan Tucker

The Clippers are showing interest in free agent guard Tyus Jones in sign-and-trade scenarios, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports in his latest around-the-league notebook.

While this is just speculation on Scotto’s part, the Clippers could look to use some combination of the expiring contracts of P.J. Tucker and Russell Westbrook or draft compensation and Bones Hyland in sign-and-trade scenarios for the Wizards guard.

Jones, our No. 15-ranked free agent, averaged 12.0 points and 7.3 assists per game last season while shooting 48.9% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc.

We have more from Scotto:

The leaguewide expectation is that Luke Kennard will return to the Grizzlies after the organization declined his team option before free agency, Scotto writes. Kennard averaged 11.0 PPG on 45.0% shooting from deep last season.
As we noted earlier Friday, it’s likely the Sixers look to use newly signed KJ Martin‘s contract as a trade chip when he becomes eligible to be moved on Jan. 15. The Sixers could trade for a player making $14MM if they packaged Martin alongside three minimum-salary players in a trade.
The Suns gave Josh Okogie a similar deal to what Martin got and could also look to utilize his salary as a trade chip, Scotto reports. However, unlike Martin, Okogie’s deal can’t be aggregated with other players on Phoenix’s roster due to the team’s position relative to the second tax apron.
The Knicks are trying to add both size and shooting to their roster this offseason, Scotto writes. Davis Bertans has previously been mentioned as an option for the Knicks, and they’re also expressing interest in free agent guard Landry Shamet. As reported, New York has shown interest in Walker Kessler but Utah’s asking price remains high. Meanwhile, Precious Achiuwa remains open to a return to New York.
Outside of the Knicks, Scotto reports that Shamet has drawn “exploratory interest” from the Bucks, Heat and Timberwolves. A return to the Wizards isn’t out of the question either.
The Pistons are attempting to finalize a contract with their No. 37 overall pick Bobi Klintman. Klintman is expected to end up on the 15-man roster on a multiyear contract, according to Scotto. The Pistons were intrigued by his size and shooting ability and are hoping to have him on a standard deal.

Atlantic Rumors: Trent, Quickley, Knicks, Kessler, Bertans, Celtics

July 9th, 2024 at 10:25am CST by Luke Adams

Although the Raptors haven’t entirely closed the door on the possibility of bringing back free agent wing Gary Trent Jr., his return appears increasingly unlikely based on how the team’s offseason has played out, says Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.

As Lewenberg observes, Toronto sacrificed much of its cap flexibility by taking on salary in a trade with the Kings and exercising Bruce Brown‘s team option. The club also added a wing in the first round of the draft, selecting Ja’Kobe Walter with the 19th overall pick. The 15-man roster is now full, with little breathing room below the luxury tax line.

When the Raptors’ negotiating window with Trent opened last month, they were willing to offer him an annual salary in the neighborhood of $15MM, a source tells Lewenberg, but the swingman’s camp was seeking a raise on last year’s $18.5MM salary, possibly up to $25MM or so.

Toronto wasn’t prepared to meet that price, and it doesn’t look like there are any rival suitors who will go that high either. One league insider tells TSN that Trent would be lucky at this point to receive the full mid-level exception (worth about $12.9MM). The Raptors no longer have on offer on the table for the 25-year-old, according to Lewenberg.

Here’s more from around the Atlantic:

The Jazz and Spurs, among other teams, had “real” interest in restricted free agent guard Immanuel Quickley before he agreed to sign a five-year, $175MM contract with the Raptors, Lewenberg writes, which is one reason why that deal came in higher than expected. Quickley’s new deal will be worth a flat $35MM across all five seasons, Lewenberg adds, so it’ll start at just under 25% of the salary cap in 2024/25 but that percentage will drop each year as the cap increases.
Echoing previous reporting, Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter video link) confirms that the Knicks have inquired on Walker Kessler, but says he’d be surprised if New York makes a deal for the third-year center, given the Jazz‘s asking price, which includes “at least” a first-round pick.
The Knicks are among the teams that have expressed some level of interest in free agent sharpshooter Davis Bertans, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
After the Celtics officially re-signed centers Xavier Tillman, Luke Kornet, and Neemias Queta, director of player personnel Austin Ainge said he’s “extremely grateful” to have all those players back and suggested that one or more of them could have landed more lucrative deals elsewhere. “We had some guys turn down more money other places to come back,” Ainge said, according to Brian Robb of MassLive.com. “It feels really good that guys we care about a lot to come back and go for another run.”

Hornets Waive Davis Bertans

July 6th, 2024 at 3:33pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

3:33pm: The Hornets have cut Bertans, the team confirmed in a press release. He’s on track to clear waivers on Monday.

1:01pm: The Hornets will waive veteran power forward Davis Bertans, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Bertans has a $16MM salary for 2024/25, but only $5.25MM of that total is guaranteed. Charlotte will be on the hook for that partial guarantee, creating more than $10MM in cap room in the move.

Ahead of Charania’s report, cap expert Yossi Gozlan had speculated (via Twitter) that Charlotte might make this move to accommodate the incoming salary of veteran point guard Devonte’ Graham in its trade with the Spurs. The Hornets are acquiring their former guard in exchange for a second-round draft pick from San Antonio. Graham is slated to be waived as well.

Bertans, 31, was dealt to the Hornets from the Thunder midway through the 2023/24 season in the Gordon Hayward trade. He saw his role expand on a lottery-bound Charlotte squad, averaging 8.8 points on a .394/.375/.889 shooting line.

A career 39.6% percent shooter on 4.7 long-range attempts a night, the 6’10” vet could have a decent market for his services as a floor-spacing stretch four. Given that this is at this point his only true skill and he’s now over 30, Bertans will probably be on the hunt for a veteran’s minimum-level deal.