Lakers Make Blockbuster Trade Involving Patrick Beverley
By Jason Hall
August 25, 2022
The Los Angeles Lakers acquired guard Patrick Beverley in a trade with the Utah Jazz, which was finalized on Thursday (August 25), ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
The trade, which was initially reported to be close to being finalized late Wednesday (August 24) night, sends Beverley -- who previously played for the Los Angeles Clippers, the Lakers' Crytpo.com Arena co-tenants, from 2017-21 -- to Los Angeles in exchange for guard Talen Horton-Tucker and forward Stanley Johnson, sources confirmed.
The veteran guard provides a ferocity necessary for recently hired Lakers head coach Darvin Ham's goal of improving the NBA's 21st overall defensive unit during his first season.
The Patrick Beverley trade to the Lakers is complete, sources tell ESPN. Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson join the Jazz. https://t.co/fHzG4BCWJt
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 25, 2022
Beverley has held opposing teams' closest shooters to a 41.9% percentage during the past five seasons, which is second among all NBA players defending 2,000 shots, according to data obtained by ESPN Stats & Information.
Beverley, 34, was a key factor in the Minnesota Timberwolves' playoff run last season, which saw the franchise clinch a postseason berth for the first time since 2017-18, averaging 9.2 points, 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds during the 2021-22 regular season, as well as 110 points, 4.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds during six playoff games.
The veteran was, however, included in an offseason blockbuster trade this offseason in which the Timberwolves sent a hoard of players to the Jazz in exchange for former three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.