What To Expect from Hornets' Addition Davis Bertans aka "The Latvian Laser"

Background

The Hornets recently acquired veteran forward Davis Bertans, 32, from the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the Gordon Hayward trade. Nicknamed the “Latvian Laser,” Bertans hails from Latvia and is known for his sharpshooting from behind the arc (Career 39.8% from three). He was originally drafted 42nd overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2011, but was stashed overseas and did not make his NBA debut until the 2016 season with the San Antonio Spurs.

From 2016-2019 Bertans played for the Spurs, and was then traded to the Wizards where he played for them from 2019-2022, before being sent to the Mavericks as part of the Porzingis trade. This past offseason, the Mavericks traded Bertans to the Thunder on draft night, and for the Thunder this season he had a limited role only averaging 6.1 minutes per game. 

Bertans enjoyed his best NBA season during the 2019 season for the Wizards when he put up a career-high of 15.4 points per game and was 42.4% shooting from deep while averaging 29.3 minutes per contest. 

Contract

In order for the Thunder to take on Hayward's contract, the Hornets had to take on a large contract from OKC, and that is Bertans's. In 2020, Bertans signed a 5 year $80 million contract with the Wizards, which had $69 million guaranteed. 

However his 2024-25 $16,000,000 is only $5,000,000 guaranteed. This means if the Hornets or another team following a trade waive him before October 1st 2024, they only owe him $5,000,000 and can free up a roster spot. However, it can become fully guaranteed if he reaches the incentive of playing in 75% of games this season (62 games). As Bretons has played in only 16 games so far this season, he is able to play the remaining 29 games and still won't reach the incentive.

Fit With The Hornets

Bertans arrives in a situation in Charlotte where he likely will be asked to play more minutes than he did in OKC. With the Hornets moving on from PJ Washington and a lack veteran size and shooting. 

Where Bertans won't help is Charlotte's rebounding and defense, throughout his NBA career, he has only averaged 2.5 rebounds per game, and even in his best year in '19 with the Wizards when he was averaging 29 minutes per game, he only averaged 4.5 rebounds. Despite his size, don't expect Bertas to be a difference-maker on the boards or defensively, those are not his strengths. 

Bertans now joins new trade acquisition Grant Williams in a competition for minutes at power forward, as well as Bridges and Thor who also will be playing that role. He also provides a small-ball center option to backup Williams/Richards. Regardless, when Bertans is on the floor he will bring much-needed 3pt shooting to the Hornets rotation, and space the floor out for the rest of the offense. 

Bertans will not be asked to be a primary scorer but will be a valuable catch-and-shoot big with surprising athleticism for the Hornets who can catch fire occasionally. Hornets fans may remember in 2019 when he was on the Wizards, he scored 32 points at the Spectrum Center shooting 8/12 from three to go with 8 rebounds.