The Lakers acquired Patrick Beverley, and Los Angeles now cannot wait to see how ‘Pat Bev’ meshes with the stars that are already on the team.
The trade journey of Beverley started in July when the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Utah Jazz did business with each other. In this trade, the focal point was clearly Minnesota getting Rudy Gober. As for the Jazz, they were able to add Beverley (at the time) along with a number of 1st round picks, and three other players. Now in September, this is actually the first trade since Beverley moved from Minnesota to Utah. The Lakers acquired Beverley, and the Jazz were given Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson.
From the looks of the Lakers in the 2021-2022 season, many analyst via ESPN, NBA, etc., were calling for even more back up than that of someone like Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Avery Bradley, or Kent Bazemore. What that back up would be is a player able to play two ways like Patrick Beverley.
The Lakers ranked 28th in the amount of points opponents would score in 2021-2022. So, there was a clear need for a more defensive mindset heading into this season if they want to compete with the offensive juggernaut that is the Warriors, and teams like the Suns or Grizzlies, and those teams are just talking about the Western Conference. I believe this was a trade to tackle the defensive problem head on. Applause to the Lakers for being able to analyze and address that issue, but within LA’s answer there is a question that basketball fans as a whole would like to have answered. How well will Beverley get along with his new teammates / former rivals?
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To any player that has had Beverley as an opponent, they know that he can be a great agitation to any great player. Even LeBron James, the best player in the league, has felt the disruption that he can be to opponents. Russell Westbrook himself has been in many battles with Beverley, where competition is so heated to the point they may forget about basketball sometimes. Now they have to join forces with a player that has been a nuisance to them for years.
Of course we may see excitement from the players prior to the season, but the real fun will come when we see how they all handle adversity that comes. Will they divide, or will they handle things as a unit with Pat Bev ultimately taking to a higher level through mental toughness. Should be something special to see.
