Lakers Rumors: Pat Beverley 'Desires' Return to T-Wolves If Traded Or Contract Buyout

If the Los Angeles Lakers move on from Patrick Beverley this season, the veteran has a "desire to return" to the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

Fischer outlined a scenario where Beverley could be traded to the Detroit Pistons before reaching free agency via buyout.

The 34-year-old likely wouldn't want to be part of a rebuilding situation after reaching the playoffs in each of the last four years with the Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers. Beverley spent the 2021-22 season with Minnesota, helping the squad return to the postseason for just the second time since 2004.

Beverley was a fan favorite in Minnesota, providing one of the more iconic moments of last season when the Timberwolves won their play-in game to make the playoffs:

Even though Minnesota traded him in July, he thought highly of the fanbase and said, "We kind of revamped the environment there."

Beverley went to the Utah Jazz in the trade that brought Rudy Gobert to Minnesota before being flipped to Los Angeles. Things haven't gone smoothly since the deal; he's averaging just 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for a squad that is 11-16.

It could force the Lakers to make another trade to get back on track.

The Timberwolves also haven't had a great year at 13-15 despite lofty expectations.

When the Lakers played Minnesota in October, T-Wolves coach Chris Finch noted Beverley's impact.

"He was an outstanding professional in his habits, and his routine was one that younger players could see and mimic," Finch told reporters. "Mostly, he was a tone-setter. That's what we were looking for a little bit now; who is going to be our tone-setter? We haven't had a single guy step forward yet."

A reunion could be the best-case scenario for all parties.