The 2019-20 NBA season is set to resume on July 30, but one of the Washington Wizards’ top players will not be taking part in it.
Wizards forward Davis Bertans has decided to sit out the remainder of the season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps. Bertans has had multiple ACL injuries in the past and is set to become a free agent this offseason, so he is skipping the resumption of the season as a precaution. The Wizards reportedly support the decision and consider re-signing Bertans to be a priority.
Sitting out is preventive measure, which Wizards fully support. Franchise is treating Bertans as a top offseason priority in free agency. Bertans — 16 PPG, 42 percent on 3's — still expected to participate in pre-Orlando training with team. https://t.co/vjIrWXu8wk
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2020
Bertans is having by far his best season as a pro in his first year with the Wizards. He’s averaging 15.4 points per game after averaging just 6.1 through his first three years in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. He credited a change in diet for helping him become a better shooter this year.
The Wizards have a chance to make the playoffs, as there are only nine Eastern Conference teams involved in the 22-team resumption. However, Washington would need a lot of help. They are currently 5.5 games behind the No. 8 seed Orlando Magic, and only eight more regular season games will be played. That may have factored into Bertans’ decision.
