New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Free Agency Options to Scout at NBA Disney

2 of 4

Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards would be a nice fit on the New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans Free Agent Options: Davis Bertans

Davis Bertans: Forward, Washington Wizards

The Wizards were the last team selected to head to Orlando, a move that had some scratching their heads. The Wizards stink but were within the arbitrary six games that the NBA decided was enough to get into the 22-team field.

While the Wizards are unlikely to do much, it will give teams a chance to scout Davis Bertans, their 27-year-old forward, who will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

Bertans may not be a household name, but NBA teams are aware of anyone who shoots more than 40 percent from 3-point range for their career.

In fact, Bertans is shooting 42.4 percent on 8.7 attempts per game from long-range, making him one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA.

That, coupled with his size at 6-foot-10, will make him one of the more coveted free agents in a lackluster group. It’s almost too bad for the Pelicans that Bertans wasn’t available next offseason, when he would get far less attention and probably money.

Bertans averaged 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds this season, which is his fourth in the league and is expected to get a healthy raise from his current two 2yr./$14.5 million deal. How much more is the real question.

If someone is willing to give him $15-20 million a season, then Bertans won’t be joining the New Orleans Pelicans as a free agent, and with so few good free agents, it’s not unlikely.

But if the Pelicans can make the money work, Bertans would be a nice fit. He’s a stretch-four who could play with Zion Williamson, stretch the floor and create space for the big man.

A small ball lineup with Zion at the five and Bertans at power forward would be an offensive juggernaut and Bertans would be an ideal pick-and-roll option for Lonzo Ball.

It really all comes down to money, how much Bertans wants and how much he can get. If he blows up in Orlando, expect a big payday, but if he has a quiet eight games it’s possible he could play his way into the Pelicans’ range.

He’s a longshot, but one worth watching.