New Orleans Pelicans making moves; cut Tim Frazier, add Dairis Bertans
The rebuilding New Orleans Pelicans are already making moves. Yesterday morning, the team cut Tim Frazier in order to make room for Dairis Bertans from the EuroLeague.
Danny Ferry, interim General Manager of the New Orleans Pelicans, made his first personnel-related decision yesterday when he decided to part ways with Tim Frazier in order to make room for Latvian sharpshooting guard, Dairis Bertans of the EuroLeague.
Tim Frazier has been a pretty important piece in the New Orleans Pelicans’ rotation this season. He started a handful of games this year and played a respectable near-20 minutes per contest. However, Frazier’s contract was expiring anyway, and he apparently was not part of the front office’s future plans for the team, so it makes sense from that perspective to move on from the 28 year-old journeyman in order to give someone else a chance.
What newly acquired Dairis Bertans brings to the table for the New Orleans Pelicans is a deadly stroke from behind the three point line.
New Orleans is seriously discussing a deal with Euroleague shooter Dairis Bertans, league sources tell @DraftExpress and me. Bertans is older brother of Spurs’ Davis Bertans. Dairis is playing in Italy, shooting 54 percent on three-pointers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 28, 2019
As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski noted, Dairis Bertans is shooting an absurd 54% from distance at the moment. This percentage seems pretty unsustainable, especially as he transitions to the NBA and faces some different styles of play and unfamiliar gameplans. However, Bertans’ European career average from deep over the last 11 years is above 40%. Regardless of continent, prolific shooting like this will hopefully lead to prolonged success for Bertans.
Pelicans and Bertans finalizing agreement now, per @DraftExpress and me. Deal includes a team option on 2019-20 season. https://t.co/sIv9byokoS
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 28, 2019
As Woj went on to report, Dairis Bertan’s conract with the New Orleans Pelicans has a Team Option next season. This is important for the Pelicans, because if they bring over Bertans and aren’t liking how his game translates to the NBA, they can move on over the summer and allow him to enter free agency. This is a very low-risk move for New Orleans but could pay some nice dividends if Bertans keeps shooting over 40% from range in the NBA.
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On the human side of things, it’s sad to see Tim Frazier go. However, he has a decent chance at continuing his career with a different organization. The New Orleans Pelicans will move forward with Dairis Bertans and see how he fits next to Jrue Holiday and hope he also works well with their other high-upside players like Cheick Diallo and Kenrich Williams. Expect more and more moves from the Pelicans before the 2019-2020 season tips this fall.