Deal of the Day: Can Davis Bertans get traded into cap space?

Earlier in the series The Deal worked through what it would look like to deal unrestricted free agent forward Davis Bertans to a team over the cap. In this scenario The Deal finds a team with space and spare cash for the Latvian Laser.

Atlanta Hawks trade wing Kevin Huerter to the Washington Wizards for forward Davis Bertans in a sign-and-trade deal. Bertans will get a new contract worth $69 million over four years.

Why do the Hawks do the deal?

The Hawks are trying to go big, literally, by acquiring the tallest shooter they can find in the entire world. The whole point of snagging Deandre Hunter, Cam Reddish, Clint Capela et al is so they can cover for guard Trae Turner and a forward like Bertans.

But also, the Hawks have the space to sign a free agent like Bertans without hurting their future, even if they “overpay” him a bit.

Why do the Wizards do the deal?

Davis doesn’t like Tommy Sheppard’s earlier offers to keep him in D.C. (let’s assume he offers smaller contracts), but he can arrange to get the best deal possible for the Wizards. In this case the Hawks send Huerter back knowing they’ll be picking his replacement in the draft. This way they won’t have to consider an extension for him.

The Front Office happily accepts a 6’7 wing like Kevin Terp Hurter. Big Kev can play in lineups with John and Brad and even Troy. Also, Huerter is earning a much smaller salary, so that helps Washington save cap space for future seasons, assuming the cap doesn’t drop drastically.

Roster with MLE, BAE, #9 and #37 to use:

• John Wall - Ish Smith
• Bradley Beal - Kevin Huerter - Garrison Mathews (RFA)
• Isaac Bonga - Troy Brown Jr. - Admiral Schofield
• Rui Hachimura - ________
• Thomas Bryant - Moritz Wagner - Anzejs Pasecniks (camp guarantee)

Trade Resources

• TradeNBA
• ESPN Trade Machine
• CBA FAQ
• Stathead.com

Want to request a trade target or send a challenge? Email me at Jheiser3@gmail.com and include your Bullets Forever screen name.