Bertans played in 15 matches for the Thunder this season, played only six minutes on average and scored 2.9 points, but in the Hornets, the Latvian’s playing time increased to almost 21 minutes and in 28 games he averaged 8.8 points, which allowed him to end the season with an average of 6.7 points per match.
Next season, the last year of the five-year contract will be valid for Bertans, in which the basketball player can decide for himself whether he wants to continue this contract. During the season, “Thunder” agreed with Bertans on changes in the contract, which stipulates that the Latvian will receive a guaranteed 5.25 million US dollars. The value of the five-year contract with the Washington “Wizards” was 80 million US dollars (75.3 million euros).
As the 31-year-old Bertāns stated on Monday in the Latvian Television (LTV) “Sporta Studias” podcast, he would not refuse the opportunity to stay in Charlotte’s team, but only on such conditions that he would be able to play.
“It is clear that the team’s priority is to keep Miles Bridges, and when this matter is settled, they promised that they will let me know as soon as possible whether they will keep me or not,” said the basketball player about the situation at the club. “The only thing we emphasized from our side – I’m not 20 years old, I have a wife and two children and I can’t afford to train in the pre-season, and then I’d be thanked before the first game.”
Bertan was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Hornets on February 8 and earned the trust of head coach Steve Clifford. However, the specialist will not continue to perform the duties of “Hornets” coach next season, continuing his work in the team under the leadership of the club and as a consultant.
The Latvian basketball player also stated that he would be ready to play for another team in the NBA if he was missed.
“I would like to play one more season in the NBA, but for the past three years I have not ruled out the idea that I could return to Europe at any moment and play for a year or two,” Bertans said.
This season, “Hornets” took 13th place in the Eastern Conference with 21 wins in 82 games and did not qualify for the playoffs.
Tags: years considered returning Europe Day
