Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans plans to sit out of next month’s NBA restart at Walt Disney World in Orlando, according ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Bertans is the first player to choose to opt out of playing during the restart. Players of teams invited to Orlando have until June 24 to decide if they will or will not play.
The Wizards are one of 22 teams invited to the NBA restart to conclude the 2019-2020 season.
By choosing not to report, Bertans is subject to forfeiting his pay for the eight seeding games Washington is scheduled to play.
Bertans is Washington’s second-leading scorer, averaging a carer-high 15.4 points per game. He shot a team-high 42.4% from three on a team third in the league in three-point shooting.
Bertans is set to be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. He has had two torn ACL injuries during his playing career. The NBA’s free agency is set to start Oct. 18. Wizards’ general manager Tommy Sheppard previously stated Washington plans to retain Bertans.
The Wizards will be allowed to sign a substitute player at a prorated league minimum salary to replace Bertans, according ESPN’s Bobby Marks. The signed player will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
