Patrick Beverley claims it was “his decision” to leave LA Lakers: How has it worked out for him so far?
Patrick Beverley's sensational move to Hollywood to play for the LA Lakers ended somewhat quietly before the trade deadline. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka shipped the fiery guard to the Orlando Magic for young big man Mo Bamba.
Beverley was the team’s best perimeter defender and one of the biggest voices in their locker room. Although his name was floated in trade rumors at various points of the season, some were still a little surprised he was let go.
Here’s Patrick Beverley on what the real score was regarding his trade:
“For some people, it could be that Pat Bev got traded. The reality was, I didn’t like what was going on. ‘Oh, he ain’t good enough, let’s get rid of him.’ All that sh*t was my decision, that was my decision.”
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The LA Lakers made headlines when they traded Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson to the Utah Jazz for Patrick Beverley. They paired him with former public enemy No. 1 Russell Westbrook. Their long history of heated confrontations hung over the team heading into training camp.
The two, however, became best friends, much to the ridicule and trolling of basketball fans and analysts. Beverley proved that his and Westbrook’s relationship was not just for show. He defended the former MVP throughout the season and bid him a warm goodbye after he was traded.
Patrick Beverley’s short-lived tenure in LA, however, left a lot to be desired. He once appeared on national TV saying that he could take the Lakers to the Conference Finals with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. When he was traded, his team was 26-32 and desperately holding on for a chance to make the play-in.
Given the Lakers’ circumstances, the veteran guard may not even have to ask Rob Pelinka to trade him. The writing was on the wall when Thomas Bryant relocated to Denver and when the Lakers acquired Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt and De’Angelo Russell.
Beasley and Russell offer shooting that Beverley has not provided this season for the LA Lakers. Vanderbilt was the do-it-all defensive menace who was bigger, younger and on a more team-friendly deal than "Pat Bev."
The LA Lakers' need for a backup center greased Patrick Beverley's exit from the team
Anthony Davis’ long history of injury problems may have been the biggest reason why the LA Lakers had to get a quality backup center. Trading Patrick Beverley may have been the only reason to get such talent.
Thomas Bryant, who’s playing now for the Denver Nuggets, helped the Lakers stay afloat without Davis for 5 ½ weeks. Without Bryant, the Lakers were looking at the possibility of going extra small if AD rests or is out injured.
The Lakers were a mess defensively without a big man anchoring the defense. Bryant may not have been that kind of player, but he had his spurts and scored enough points on offense to make him serviceable.
TRADE ALERT: The Magic are sending Mo Bamba to the Los Angeles Lakers for Patrick Beverley, via ESPN. https://t.co/k0FAXb7lu7
The opportunity to get Mo Bamba may have been too much to resist. Bamba has played just four games for the LA Lakers, averaging only 11.3 points per game. His mettle will be tested if AD's health is compromised.
LeBron James has also been injured. It also opens up the opportunity for Bamba to get a few more minutes as Davis will have to carry an added load on offense.