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Lakers make trade for Jazz point guard Patrick Beverley… who has had notable run-ins with Russell Westbrook in the past
- After just being traded this offseason, Beverley is heading back to Los Angeles
- The Jazz get guard Talen Horton-Tucker and forward Stanley Johnson in return
- Beverley has a long, troubled history with new teammate Russell Westbrook
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Late Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers added a key defensive piece to their team by acquiring guard Patrick Beverley from the Utah Jazz.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, going the other way would be guard Talen Horton-Tucker and forward Stanley Johnson.
Beverley spent last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he helped them win their first playoff game since 2018. He also previously spent time in Los Angeles as a member of the Clippers.
He had been traded from the Timberwolves to the Jazz as part of a package that landed Minnesota All-Star center Rudy Gobert.
Point Guard Patrick Beverley has been traded from the Utah Jazz to the Los Angeles Lakers
Beverley has previously expressed interest in joining LA to play alongside LeBron James
The University of Arkansas product has previously made his intentions clear about joining the Lakers to partner with LeBron James.
‘If I was a free agent and if me and Minnesota didn’t agree to a number, yes,’ Beverly told ESPN’s First Take in May.
‘I wouldn’t even hesitate. Just to be able to play with a great like [James], be able to pick his brain, be able to be a star in whatever role that I have, playing alongside Russell Westbrook…fantastic. Playing for the Lakers, couldn’t ask for a better job.’
NBA fans heard that statement and immediately questioned it, especially the part concerning Russell Westbrook.
The two point guards have had intense beef with each other in the past – with a long history of injuries and arguments.
The most notable incident between the two happened back when Beverley was with the Houston Rockets. He met Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the first-round in the 2013 NBA Playoffs.
Beverley attempted to steal the ball from Westbrook as the latter was calling a timeout. The ensuing collision tore Westbrook’s meniscus, requiring surgery and ending his season.
With this move, Westbrook’s time in Los Angeles with the Lakers could be over, with some Laker fans not able to see a scenario where the two are on the same team.
Rumors have circulated saying the Lakers front office has been looking to move Westbrook all offseason.
Beverley’s acquisition will ruffle the feathers of Lakers players, especially Russell Westbrook