As the Washington Wizards prepare to head to Orlando for the recovery of the 2019-20 season, a few weeks ago Davis Bertans decided to give up on the last eight games and a potential playoff with the Wizards in the Orlando Bubble for a chance to prepare for his next free agency. Certainly there have been many reactions to Bertans’ decision, including a very interesting exchange with Orlando’s magic guard Evan Fournier
If you don’t care about the risk of playing Orlando, tag me with your opinion of me next time too!
– Dāvis Bertāns (@ DBertans_42) June 23, 2020
From NBA to MLB, we see players making decisions similar to what Bertans has made. As a fan, we shouldn’t be looking at these decisions in a vacuum. We are in unprecedented times. For a player like Bertans, who before the end of the season would easily be seen as a wanted free agent who would probably get a big multi-year contract, the decision is clear. There is little to gain for Bertans and everything to lose.
What if Bertans decided to play in the bubble? Will he do something that will earn him more money? The odds of wizards entering the playoffs and making a significant run? Since the answer to these last two questions is more than likely not, then does it make sense to risk your health or the risk of injury? I’ll make the answer easy: no.
Yes, Bertans’ decision is disappointing, but it is also wise. If Bertans suffers from some kind of long-term complication, both for COVID-19 and for a serious gambling injury, he will not be given extra money as a sympathy. It will get its fair market value regardless.
For him, the plan is simple: stay safe, protect your future, and give yourself the opportunity to make the kind of money most people dream of making in a lifetime. At the age of 27, this is an optimal time for Bertans to get perhaps the largest contract he is likely to receive in his career, so it is understandable why he is taking such a cautious approach.
Bertans’ decision is not selfish, but rather a deal, in much the same way that these important professional sports leagues have decided to move forward with the relaunch of their leagues. They certainly have an interest in generating revenue to keep their business afloat, but players still have to think about the danger that exists to go play for themselves, their families and the people they can get in touch with.
Just on Monday, it was reported that Atlanta Braves slugger Freddie Freeman spoke to Nick Markakis and Markakis was persuaded not to participate in the next MLB season, among other reasons, due to the effects of Freeman’s symptoms after contracting the coronavirus.
So Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley has withdrawn from the continuation of the NBA season due to the potential of failing to get his older child to come on the NBA bubble due to an underlying health condition. There are many factors here, some of which may not be publicly known for each of the players who decide to give up.
In a nutshell, there is so much that is not known at the moment. With players proving positive for COVID-19 on what appears to be a weekly basis, there is nothing wrong with waiting for this and seeing how to prepare for life beyond this season. As a fan, we need to be patient and realize that nothing is clear at this point. It was definitely a fun ride where Bertans has been a Wizard this season, but now there are much bigger things than basketball and we will have to accept it.
