Should Lakers Pursue Patrick Beverley Trade amid Latest NBA Rumors?

For weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Kyrie Irving in trade rumors; nothing has changed of late.

While the NBA offseason is in full swing now that free agency has started, decisions have stalled a bit as the Brooklyn Nets decide what to do with Irving and Kevin Durant. If they end up trading Irving, it may be to the Lakers.

However, Irving is no longer the only point guard being connected to Los Angeles in rumors this summer. Add Patrick Beverley to the conversation.

According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, Beverley "appears to be a strong trade candidate," and the 34-year-old Utah Jazz guard has drawn interest from the Lakers. However, Los Angeles isn't alone, as Fischer reported that the Miami Heat are also interested in Beverley, while the Philadelphia 76ers "had been mentioned as a potential Beverley suitor."

The Sixers can likely now be crossed off that list. They acquired De’Anthony Melton in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night, so it seems unlikely Philadelphia would make a move to acquire another point guard.

So that could leave the Lakers and the Heat as the pair of teams that may attempt a trade with the Jazz in exchange for Beverley, who was already dealt once this offseason. He was part of the package that the Minnesota Timberwolves sent to Utah in the blockbuster Rudy Gobert trade on July 6.

It's unclear what Los Angeles plans to do with Russell Westbrook after he struggled during the 2021-22 campaign, his first season with the team. Beverley is set to make $13 million during the 2022-23 season (the final one on his current contract), so perhaps the Lakers could fit both him and Westbrook on their roster.

How would Beverley feel about going to Los Angeles? Well, he's already discussed the possibility in the past. In May, Beverley talked about how he'd feel playing for the Lakers during an appearance on ESPN's This Just In.

"Just to be able to play with a great like [LeBron James], be able to pick his brain, be able to be a star in whatever role that I have, playing alongside Russell Westbrook," Beverley said on the show. "Fantastic. And playing for the Lakers? Couldn't ask for a better job."

During his 10-year NBA career, Beverley has played for three teams: the Houston Rockets (five seasons), the Los Angeles Clippers (four) and the Timberwolves (one). Last season, he averaged 9.2 points, 4.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 58 games while making 54 starts.

Beverley's top attribute is his defense, and that could make him a valuable addition to the Lakers' rotation. They have top scorers in James, Westbrook and Anthony Davis, and they still need to add a strong shooter or two. But it surely couldn't hurt to add a defensive stalwart like Beverley in a trade.

Whether that's a smart move for Los Angeles, though, could depend on Utah's asking price. The Lakers shouldn't be willing to part with a ton of assets to land Beverley, but if the cost is affordable (a future draft pick or two, or perhaps a package centered around Talen Horton-Tucker) then it could be a beneficial move.

Los Angeles shouldn't trade for Beverley in lieu of an outside shooter who can improve the team's perimeter game. But if the Lakers can find a way to add Beverley and a standout wing, they could be in a much better position than they were last season.

With those types of moves, though, Los Angeles probably couldn't bring in Irving. But that may be the better route to take anyway, considering it's unknown when the Nets will move Irving and the fact that the Lakers haven't succeeded with their three-superstar lineup thus far.