The OKC Thunder have been pretty tamed with their Davis Bertans usage this season. Mark Daigneault has kept him out of the rotations most games despite his three-point marksmanship. Something could be about to change after recent news broke in regard to language in Bertans' contract.
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded for Davis Bertans back in June during the 2023 NBA Draft. Bertans was a vessel to acquire the 10th overall pick from the Dallas Mavericks, which Sam Presti used to selected Kentucky guard Cason Wallace.
Dallas saw benefits in the deal by acquiring Dereck Lively II and shedding the massive deal Davis Bertans is inked to. This allowed the Mavericks to free up space to make other offseason moves including grabbing Grant Williams later in the Summer.
Davis Bertans agreeing to change the language in his contract unlocks so much value for both sides.
Sam Presti felt comfortable acquiring Bertans due to a stipulation in his contract. If the OKC Thunder did not play him in 75 percent of games this season, the franchise would be able to waive him this summer for just five million dollars rather than being on the hook for nearly 17 million dollars if he were to exceed 75 percent of games played.
Sources: The OKC Thunder and Davis Bertans agreed to a contract revision. A clause was removed that if Bertans played 75% of games this season, it would trigger a $16 million guarantee next season. His salary guarantee has increased from $5 million to $5.25 million next season.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) November 30, 2023
It was reported today by Michael Scotto that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Davis Bertans have agreed to revise the deal, taking that clause out of the pact, making Bertans eligible to be waived at the end of the season for 5.25 million dollars regardless of games played.
This unlocks a ton of value for both sides. In the meantime, Oklahoma City can throw him into games situationally to gain his three-point prowess even for just a possession at the end of frames without worrying about the financial impact.
Should the matchup dictate a longer leash for Bertans, Mark Daigneault can sub him in without breaking out a calculator.
However, the biggest benefit comes from the trade market, instead of the potential of burning up the majority of his games before the February trade dead line.
Looking back at last season's trade deadline, the OKC Thunder were able to fetch two second-round picks from the Boston Celtics for Mike Muscala who went on to log 324 minutes for the C's in 20 games.
Independent of whether shooting-needy teams will need the veteran forward, Bertans' contract would be a huge swing in trade talks as teams are strapped for cap and need matching salaries to make deals work in a few months.
Now, the OKC Thunder can use Davis Bertans as a chess piece in trade talks for the benefit of the other team being able to waive the forward no matter what for juts 5.25 million dollars at the end of the season.