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Should the Nuggets target Davis Bertans in free agency?

By Quenton S. Albertie

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 18: Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after making a three point basket in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena on December 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 18: Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after making a three point basket in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena on December 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets could need depth at the forward position next season and sharpshooting forward Davis Bertans is a potential free agent target.

Free agency is set to begin on October 18, which is just near enough for the Denver Nuggets to seriously consider how they would like to alter their roster moving forward. With Paul Millsap set to hit free agency while Jerami Grant leaning towards declining his player option for the 2020-21 season, it’s time to seriously consider possible replacements. Davis Bertans, a 6’10” forward who has spent four seasons in the NBA, could be the guy to help the Nuggets fill that void.

Although it’s possible that one of Millsap or Grant gets brought back because of their importance to the Nuggets’ success this year, both may have a price tag that’s too expensive for Denver’s taste. Millsap will be paid $30 million this season while Grant is looking to get considerably more than the $9.3 million.

Bertans, who currently plays for the Washington Wizards, will be paid just $7 million this season and there’s a fair chance that he’ll want far less than either Millsap or Grant. However, the Wizards may want to re-sign Bertans, and while the Latvian marksman is an elite shooter, there’s not much else to his game that warrants a bidding war with Washington.

Beginning his career with the under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs, and having played five seasons in Europe prior to his rookie season (2016-17), Bertans knows how to play without the ball. Yet, because he’s a subpar rebounder, defender and playmaker, he’s far less valuable than Millsap, although he would be a solid replacement for Grant.

Having recently announced that he’ll be sitting out the remainder of the 2019-20 season because he doesn’t want to risk injury just before an offseason that could land him the best contract of his career (per HoopsHype’s Alex Kennedy), his current numbers for the season are interesting to look at.

He averaged career-highs across the board with 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks in 29.3 minutes per game, shooting 43.4% from the field and 42.4% from 3-point range (on 8.7 3-point attempts per game). Simply put, Bertans is a 3-point specialist who has great range, can make tough shots and plays smart.

Because Denver is a mediocre 3-point shooting team (ranking 15th on 35.8% shooting), Bertans does serve a clear purpose. However, as Millsap (44.0%) and Grant (40.0%) were also extremely accurate from 3-point range last season and both primarily play the same position as Bertans, he should only be looked at as a replacement should the Nuggets be unable to re-sign Millsap, specifically.

Denver could re-sign Grant and opt to make him their backup small forward behind Will Barton, particularly if they decide not to re-sign Torrey Craig. Michael Porter Jr. Bertans can be their 1-2 punch at power forward.

However, while this could improve the offense — or at least sustain it — it’ll diminish their defense due to Millsap’s ability on that end.

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In the end, the verdict on signing Bertans is that the Nuggets should only sign him if they’re unable to bring back Millsap. If Porter is able to play small forward, then signing Bertans rather than Grant is an argument to be had. Either way, the Latvian Laser should be on Denver’s radar.