Washington Wizards forward has elected to sit out NBA’s restart
When the NBA announced its plans to restart the 2019-20 season in Orland in July, it almost immediately came with the qualifier that at least some players were going to elect to sit out for health reasons or as a preemptive measure.
It was only a matter of time, sort to speak, before we began to see players officially deciding against play when the NBA restarts. We have our first non-injured “big-gish” name that won’t be playing when the NBA restarts.
Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans has elected to sit out the NBA’s restart as a preemptive measure ahead of his free agency. Bertans has a long injury history, highlighted by two ACL injuries. Ahead of an offseason in which he’s slated to be paid big money, Bertans wants to protect himself from injury (or sickness) that could potentially steal him of that potentially life-changing opportunity.
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"[via ESPN]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.Sitting out is preventive measure, which Wizards fully support. Franchise is treating Bertans as a top offseason priority in free agency. Bertans — 16 PPG, 42 percent on 3’s — still expected to participate in pre-Orlando training with team."
Bertans is coming off a career season with the Wizards and was averaging 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists on 43 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent shooting from 3- point range. He was one of the key contributors off the bench for the Wizards this season and was the team’s second-leading scorer behind Bradley Beal.
The Wizards will likely hope to re-sign Bertans during the offseason and could be in line for a big payday. Even more so considering that the 2020 NBA free agency class is overall considered to be “weak.” Especially compared to the star-studded class that we’re expected to see during the summer of 2021.
It’s no surprise to see the Wizards in support of Bertans here too. Hopefully, we see more of that than the opposite when players begin to inform teams their plans about playing vs. not playing when the NBA restarts next month.
Players reportedly have until June 24 to inform their respective teams whether they plan on playing or not in the restart.