Washington Acquired a Proven Stretch Forward
The Wizards landed Davis Bertāns in July 2019 through a three-team arrangement with San Antonio and Brooklyn. Bertāns was already a dangerous outside shooter from a frontcourt position, an appealing skill for a Washington team seeking new scoring options. The Spurs took DeMarre Carroll, a veteran wing, and the Nets received the draft rights to Aaron White and Nemanja Dangubić. The clubs weren't all trying to add a similar player: Washington sought an offensive fit, while the others adjusted contracts and overseas rights.
Bertāns Produced a Clear Washington Breakout
Bertāns substantially expanded his offensive role with the Wizards and became an especially effective high-volume three-point shooter. His Washington production was direct receiving-team value rather than a projection based only on earlier Spurs minutes. The success also led to additional contractual decisions after the season, which should be evaluated separately from the 2019 exchange. His limitations as a defender and interior finisher meant he wasn't an all-purpose star, but the shooting role supplied Washington with an obvious, measurable benefit.
Brooklyn and San Antonio Received Different Kinds of Assets
Brooklyn acquired the overseas rights to White and Dangubić, which could be retained or moved without guaranteeing either would become a Nets rotation player. San Antonio took Carroll as a veteran wing option. Carroll did not develop into a major extended Spurs tenure through the deal, making its basketball return less compelling than Washington's immediate scoring upgrade. The Nets' rights offered transactional flexibility, but later player careers or club movements must be tracked before assigning them direct Nets production.
The Wizards Got the Most Tangible On-Court Upside
Washington's A- grade reflects Bertāns's successful adaptation to a larger shooting role. Brooklyn receives B+ for a pair of transferable overseas rights, while San Antonio's C- corresponds with Carroll's limited direct Spurs tenure. These grades shouldn't be treated as proof that overseas rights became NBA stars or that the Wizards solved every roster problem through one shooter. They recognize the different types of compensation, with Washington realizing the clearest identifiable offensive improvement.
Final Verdict
Slight Wizards Edge. Washington earns A- for Davis Bertāns's outstanding perimeter shooting after arriving from San Antonio. Brooklyn gets B+ for the rights to Aaron White and Nemanja Dangubić, which offered future flexibility. San Antonio receives C- for DeMarre Carroll's limited tenure. The Wizards secured the most direct and sustained offensive benefit from the three-team arrangement.