OKC Thunder trade primer: Unusual Spurs season may result in foundation template tweaks

Davis Bertans

Salary:

2018-19 – $7,000,000
2019-20 – $7,000,000
As per spotrac.

Okay – so this trade asset is a bit of a stretch, but examining the Spurs roster there aren’t many players who the OKC Thunder would covet. At least not the ones the Spurs are likely to be shopping such as Pau Gasol (especially with his $16.8 million salary).

Enter one of my favorite young guys Davis Bertans. This is a player who is a prototypical Popovich guy. Although he doesn’t look like an athletic specimen he digs in and has no problem getting gritty and dirty.

Case in point, the double overtime match the OKC Thunder lost in San Antonio witnessed Bertans scoring 12 points on a perfect perimeter night (4 of 4). Additionally, he grabbed four rebounds, dished two assists, had a steal and registered the best plus/minus of the night (+16).

All this and he shoots the 3-ball at a blistering 47.2 percent clip. Coming off the Spurs bench he produces 8.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. His glass work could improve, but the fact he’s parked out on the perimeter removes the opportunity for him to grab many rebounds especially on the offensive glass.