:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66965414/usa_today_14125551.0.jpg)
Washington Wizards F Davis Bertans has decided to sit out when the NBA season returns in Orlando in July, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps reported on Monday morning.
Reporting with @TimBontemps: Washington Wizards F Davis Bertans has decided to sit out the Orlando restart, sources tell ESPN. Bertans is entering free agency off of his most productive NBA season – with two ACL injuries in his past.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2020
Bertans is the first reported player to decide to sit out the season before the return in Florida, which has gotten worse with Covid-19 cases over the last few weeks. The Wizards are in the field of teams returning to play for eight regular-season games. Washington’s playoff hopes are very, very slim, however, so there’s not much incentive to return for Bertans, who is coming off his best season and will hit free agency. The Latvia native also has a history with ACL injuries.
If we’re treating this sort of like a season-ending injury, Bertans’ absence really hurts the Wizards on offense. Bertans was the ideal stretch 3-4 and now Washington is down arguably its best 3-point shooter — no offense Bradley Beal. If no one else on the Wizards sits out, the roster has some depth to cover Bertans. Troy Brown Jr. should play a decent amount at SF with Isaac Bonga and Moritz Wagner mixing in. Bonga has started more, but Brown has had the better season.