Four NBA players decide not to return when season resumes

Davis Bertans (Google Images)

According to Jack Maloney and Sam Quinn of CBS Sports, there are currently four National Basketball Association players who have decided not to return once the regular season and postseason returns at the end of July. They are Avery Bradley of the Los Angeles Lakers, Davis Bertans of the Washington Wizards, Trevor Ariza of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Willie Cauley-Stein of the Dallas Mavericks.

Bradley, a 29-year-old native of Tacoma, Washington, is not returning because he does not want to put his family at risk. He is primarily concerned about his son, who has had respiratory issues in the past. He is averaging 8.6 points per game on a Los Angeles Lakers squad that leads the Western Conference with a record of 49 wins and 14 losses.

Ariza, a 34-year-old native of Miami, Florida was traded on January 20 from the Sacramento Kings to the Portland Trail Blazers. Even though Ariza is not having to switch states, (as the games right now will be played in Orlando), Ariza is currently in a custody battle for his son. Portland is ninth in the West with a record of 29 wins and 37 losses.

Bertans, the 27-year-old from Valmiera, Latvia, was having a great season as a regular power forward for the Washington Wizards. He was averaging a career-high 15.4 points per game. However, with the Wizards 5.5 games back of the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference, and the fact that Bertans is a free agent at the end of the season, the large Latvian (6’10”, 225 pounds), does not want to risk injury.

Cauley-Stein, the seven-foot wonder from Spearville, Kansas, had played 13 games this season with the Mavericks, and was averaging 5.2 points per game. However, his wife is expecting their child, and just not want to be absent for the birth. The Mavericks are seventh in the West with a record of 40 wins and 27 losses.