The point guard position is in limbo for the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell Westbrook currently holds the starting spot. The problem is the ongoing trade discussions for Kyrie Irving where he is at the center of the deal. No word is solidified on whether or not a deal centered on these two will actually be completed between the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. The team’s approach still suggests that there’s a change they want to make.
On top of Irving being a trade target, the Lakers have now been linked to Patrick Beverley, per Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer:
Patrick Beverley also appears to be a strong trade candidate. The former Timberwolves point guard has drawn interest from the Lakers and Heat, sources told B/R. Philadelphia had been mentioned as a potential Beverley suitor, with his past Houston experience and the Sixers’ obvious deep Rockets connections, but it seems unlikely that Beverley would now be Philadelphia-bound after the team acquired De’Anthony Melton on draft night.
As it always seems, Pat Bev shares Lakers roots. He was drafted by the franchise in 2009 with the 42nd pick. Unfortunately, he never suited up for the squad. He was also a free agent target in the 2019 off-season before he rejoined the Clippers.
It’s a delicious irony that Beverley could replace Westbrook, or at the very least he could share some of the minutes if Russ remains. The two have a history about as shaky as one could imagine. Their most recent spat ended in a nasty showing against the Minnesota Timberwolves where Pat Bev beckoned the crowd in taunts against the Lakers and Westbrook.
Bringing in Beverley would certainly be a plus on the floor. He’s not the defender he was in his early career, but still tenacious. At just 6’1, he averaged 2.1 “stocks” (steals and blocks combined) per game last year. That effort and veteran presence helped catapult the Timberwolves into the playoffs for only the second time since the 2003-04 season.
The Lakers went young through the draft and free agency with the likes of Troy Brown Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Max Christie, and others. Adding one more veteran with consistent playoff experience would be helpful. To his credit, Beverly has made the playoffs in eight of his 10 years in the league, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021.
Aside from Irving and Beverley, they also worked out Darren Collison recently, per Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times. This makes three point guards meeting the eyes of the Lakers. Kendrick Nunn is also returning, after electing to opt into his contract this off-season. One could argue that there’s ample evidence that the Lakers are not done building their roster, as indicated by Rob Pelinka at the Las Vegas Summer League. It’s clear that Westbrook will be a big cog in whatever transactions that may occur before the group enters training camp.
