NBA Trades: 5 quality targets for the Los Angeles Lakers — Patrick Beverley, Utah Jazz
Sticking with current members of the Utah Jazz, Patrick Beverley could be an interesting target for the Los Angeles Lakers. According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the Lakers do have interest in acquiring the 34-year-old veteran after he was dealt to Utah in the massive blockbuster involving the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this offseason. It seems inevitable that Beverley will be on the move in the next few months before the season and the Lakers would be a reasonable suitor.
Beverley’s calling card throughout his career has been his tenacious defense, and the Lakers could benefit from adding someone of his caliber. Los Angeles struggled last season largely due to their poor defensive efforts, and a three-time All-Defensive honoree like Beverley could certainly come in and try to provide some assistance. New head coach Darvin Ham recently said on an episode of “All the Smoke” that he wants LA to become a “defensive-minded team.” Adding Beverley to the equation would undeniably help in that regard. On top of that, he is a strong shooter, burying a respectable 37.8 percent of his career 3-pointers.
The point guard will make an expiring $13 million next season, which is a digestible amount for L.A. as they look to retool. If the trade talks with the Jazz continue to pick up some speed, it would not be surprising to see Beverley make his way to the Lakers over these next few months. Beverley is a player that fans either love or hate, and while most Laker fans would likely lean toward the latter right now, that could certainly change if Beverley were to help the team bounce back next year.