Los Angeles Lakers Trade For Veteran Guard Patrick Beverley

This offseason taught us to expect the unexpected. The Los Angeles Lakers were linked to several players, but no one thought they’d go after Patrick Beverley. The Lakers made a move to trade for the veteran guard, sparkling a hot debate on social media.

Adrian Wojnarowski was among the first to report that Beverley is putting on a Lakers jersey. General Manager Rob Pelinka is sending Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson to the Utah Jazz. Was this the right move for the purple and gold?

Lakers and Jazz are expected to finalize the deal on Thursday morning, delivering Beverley to LA after a brief stayover with Jazz. No picks involved in the deal, per sources. https://t.co/s4FjjrHu4q

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 25, 2022

ESPN story on the Lakers finalizing a trade to acquire guard Patrick Beverley: https://t.co/FmGqyUE3cG

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 25, 2022

The Jazz are trading Patrick Beverley to the Lakers for Talen Horton-Tucker, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 25, 2022

And Johnson. Yes. Quick tweeting. https://t.co/8DSs4az94x

— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) August 25, 2022

Lakers trade for the veteran guard to boost their defense

The Minnesota Timberwolves sent Beverley to the Utah Jazz in the Rudy Gobert Trade. Utah is rebuilding the roster and there wasn’t enough room for Beverley. They may soon get rid of Donovan Mitchell, too.

Getting Beverley may not be such a bad idea after all. He has great experience and he is definitely one of the toughest perimeter defenders in the NBA. The Lakers have a few good reasons to get someone like him. They are coming off of a terrible season and Pelinka is just trying to make things work for everyone.

?? https://t.co/42pXVbgewT

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) August 15, 2022

LA finished the 2021-22 NBA season with a 33-49 record and didn’t make the playoffs. Players allowed 112.8 points per 100 possessions, ranking 21^st in the NBA. LeBron James and Anthony Davis missed significant time due to injuries, but this wasn’t the only problem. Players didn’t build strong chemistry and the roster construction led to many mistakes.

Beverley won’t solve each and every problem in Los Angeles, but he sure adds nice depth to the defense. His 3-point shooting will help LA space the floor around King James and yes, the Lakers will get more playmaking. No one thought that the Lakers would go after Beverley, but his addition makes sense in so many ways. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is getting a talented role player and it’s a good start of the plans for the new season. Let’s see how things work between Beverley and Russell Westbrook. Lakers fans got really excited about the new season!