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Knicks Rumors: NY expected to pursue Davis Bertans in free agency

By Jeffrey Bellone

Potential New York Knicks target Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards warms up prior to playing against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on February 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
Potential New York Knicks target Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards warms up prior to playing against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on February 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Forward Davis Bertans is reportedly on the New York Knicks’ radar.

The New York Knicks are among several teams expected to pursue Washington Wizards free agent Davis Bertans this offseason, according to NBC Washington.

Bertans is also being pursued by Atlanta and Phoenix, according to the report, with the Hawks being “particularly aggressive.” However, the Wizards aren’t about to let the sharp-shooter get away easily, as they have reportedly made it a top priority to keep him in the DC area.

The Latvian power forward would give the Knicks much-needed perimeter shooting from the forward position, something that has been missing since another Latvian forward – Kristaps Porzingis – was injured and eventually traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

Davis Bertans would help the Knicks stretch the floor

Bertans is a career 41.1% shooter from downtown, which ranks 9th among active NBA players. His effective field goal percentage, which takes into account the value of twos versus threes, ranked 13th best in the league at 59.8% this past season.

With several players on the Knicks roster on team options or non-guaranteed deals for 2020-21, New York can open up close to $50 million in cap space, depending on where the cap falls based on league-impacted revenues due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bertans decided to sit out the NBA restart in Orlando to protect his health ahead of his anticipated payday this offseason.

Knicks president Leon Rose is looking to rebuild his new roster around the core pieces of Mitchell Robinson and RJ Barrett. However, neither player is known for their perimeter shooting. Robinson has yet to prove he can knock down a jump shot in an NBA game. Finding a forward who can play along the perimeter to complement Robinson would seemingly be a top priority for this front office. It was reported earlier in the summer that they are looking for forwards who can shoot.

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Earlier this week, the Athletic reported the Knicks are expected to be suitors for free-agent-to-be Fred VanVleet.

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