Spurs’ Top International Prospect Tears ACL a Second Time

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Not all news is good news for the Spurs these days.

Sportando reported that Davis Bertans, largely considered San Antonio’s top draft-and-stash prospect, tore the ACL in his right knee for the second time in as many years and will be out 6-to-8 months. The injury occured during the first quarter of Baskonia’s game with Olimpia Milano.

The 6’10, 22-year-old Latvian sharpshooter had been inching closer to a potential NBA opportunity, with yearly opt-out clauses in his current 3-year contract that would allow him to make his way to San Antonio with no strings attached. Between club and transnational play this season, Bertans was averaging 11.4 points on 46 percent shooting, including 38.7 percent from the 3-point line on 6.3 attempts, in just 22.4 minutes per game (18.5 points per 36 minutes).

In case you missed it, our own Trevor Zickgraf spoke with college and European scout Sam Meyerkopf last month about Bertans:

Elite, elite shooter. Stretch 4, I guess he could play some 3 too but he’s a stretch 4 in Europe. One of the best shooters in Europe. Caja has had kind of a crazy season. Tons of signings and cuts but they have settled down some and are in the Euroleague Top 16 and are coming on in the ACB.

I wouldn’t say Bertans is a good defender, he’s not that quick. Nikola Mirotic (Note: I asked if Mirotic was in any way a good comparison) is a way better all-around player and accomplished a lot more over in Europe. Mirotic also played just the 4 in Europe. Bertans, if the Spurs want to bring over an off the bench scorer would fill in nicely. He did have the acl injury last year so some concerns but has looked good this year.

Considering it’s a re-tear of the same ACL in non-contact fashion, there now have to be some real concerns for the young guy going forward. He does have youth on his side, and he does not have a ton of burn on those legs, but you’ve got to wonder how San Antonio is going to approach this situation.

Those yearly NBA-out clauses are a big deal, and whether or not the Spurs felt he was ready for the next step, this could change their offseason approach to some degree considering both the seriousness of the injury and timetable of recovery.

Tough luck for San Antonio, and infinitely worse luck for a talented kid.

  • Suave Groove

    Sad news. Injuries sucks.

  • Comrade747

    Welp.

  • Dapimp Ofdayear

    Man, I’m so sick of hearing about this mythical Davis Bertans dude, and at the same time wondering why he can’t make the end of the Spurs rosters with the likes of Jeff Ayers and Reggie Williams.

  • Tyler

    Cue the “draft and stash strategy is stupid” comments….

  • Riotsmoke

    I think the “stupid” part depends largely on where your draft position is. If you’re sitting on spots late in the 2nd round like SA has done for years now, then it makes complete sense. Low risk - high reward, it’s cheap and efficient, and guys don’t come into the league with monstrous expectations on their shoulders like those of a top-5 pick. Now if you’re doing this with a top-10 pick, then yeah.. it’s pretty downright stupid.

  • Tyler

    I don’t necessarily think it matters where you are drafting - simply take the player you think will be the best pro in 3-4 years. It also depends on where you are as a franchise. For example, I have no problem with Philly taking a “draft and stash” guy simply because they know they won’t be competitive for another couple seasons.

    Just take the best player. Who cares if he spends a year or two overseas if he ends up being a better player than the other options available.