Grading the OKC Thunder 2023 FIBA World Cup run
By Rylan Stiles
New OKC Thunder Forward Davis Bertans flashed his sharpshooting ability at the FIBA World Cup.
The OKC Thunder traded for Davis Bertans as part of a draft-night deal with the Dallas Mavericks to land the OKC Thunder the 10th overall pick (Cason Wallace). The Mavericks moved down two spots to grab Dereck Lively II and, more important for them, to clear up some cap space.
Davis Bertans offers the OKC Thunder an interesting dilemma this season; with his contract such as it is, cutting him prior to the regular season seems unlikely. Bertans can not play in more than 75 percent of OKC Thunder games this season, or the team is on the hook for his entire payday next season. However, if he plays less than 75 percent of games for the OKC Thunder, Bertans will only owe him 5 million dollars to waive him next season.
THE LATVIAN LASER 🤯
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 6, 2023
DAVIS BERTANS WITH 3 TRIPLES IN THE FIRST QUARTER! 🇱🇻#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/LjDGtvjaFD
Davis Bertans averaged 12 points, an assist, and nearly five rebounds per game while shooting 40 percent from the floor, 38 percent from the three-point line, and 94 percent from the free-throw line.
Grade: B+. While the NBA veteran played as expected in his sharpshooting role, his epic hot streaks from beyond the arc bumped his grade.