The latest rumors on Utah Jazz front suggest that the team could be interested in Spurs restricted free agent Davis Bertans.
With all the drama going on in San Antonio regarding Kawhi Leonard, it’s like you sort of forgot that they had some other important decisions to make this offseason. One decision will be what to do with Davis Bertans, who is hitting restricted free agency on Sunday.
However, if the Spurs wish to keep him, they’ll likely have competition on the open market. According to Jordan Schultz of Yahoo! Sports, the Utah Jazz are among the interested parties —
Per source, #Jazz + #Nets - as well as #Spurs - are the current contenders for San Antonio RFA Davis Bertans. All three are in the mix for the 25-year-old PF. Source says it would be "hard-pressed" for Bertans - a career 38.4 percent 3-point shooter - to make EuroLeague return.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 29, 2018
Bertans established himself as a solid stretch option for the Spurs during his two years with the program. The Latvian has shot 38 percent from 3-point land in 144 games with the team.
While Bertans has expressed his desire for more playing time in San Antonio, he’s pleased with the progress he’s made during his first two years in the NBA. He specifically noted his improvement on defense while speaking with Diena, a Latvian site.
The 25-year-old has also not ruled out a return to the EuroLeague. While that seems like an unlikely move, Bertans seems to have some options.
With his ability to stretch the floor, Bertans would be an intriguing option for the Jazz. The Jazz covet stretch-fours, and that’s exactly what Bertans is. He’d be a good fit considering the brand of basketball the Jazz play — with an emphasis on ball movement and player movement — which is very similar to how the Spurs play.
His jumper is silky-smooth, and he also has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and make a play. His defense has improved, and he moves well for his size.
Bertans isn’t expected to get thrown a whole lot of money, either. Still, being a restricted free agent makes him a harder player to acquire. You don’t want to overpay him, but you also have to hope the Spurs don’t match a solid offer.
Along with the Jazz, Schultz reports that the Nets have shown interest in Bertans. The Nets are a perfect example of a team that has had tough luck when it comes to trying to sign a restricted free agent.
Brooklyn has attempted to sign Tyler Johnson (four-year, $50 million), but Miami matched the offer. Sean Marks, the General Manager of the Nets, then took a shot at Allen Crabbe (four-year, $75 million), but Portland matched that. Donatas Motiejunas (four-year, $37 million) is yet another example, as Houston matched that offer by Brooklyn.
Last summer, Brooklyn signed Otto Porter, who has been a guy that Jazz have had interest in. It was a four-year, $106 million deal. Washington matched that offer, keeping Porter in DC.
Restricted free agency is extremely tricky.
Another restricted free agent the Jazz have shown interest in is Minnesota’s Nemanja Bjelica. It’s going to be interesting to see what kind of offers guys like Bertans and Bjelica receive, and if the Jazz can pry them away from their respective teams.
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Once Derrick Favors decides whether to stay or go is when things heat up for the Jazz. If Favors bolts, then the Jazz will have to take a strong look at some power forwards in the open market. Bertans could be an option for them, for sure.