Last week may have been a huge turning point for the future of the Los Angeles Lakers.
That’s because the team traded for Patrick Beverley, a move that might end up being the biggest one of the offseason for them.
At first, it didn’t seem too consequential and most people assumed Beverley would be a bench player who would help the team’s depth and defense.
But then rumors emerged that Beverley was actually acquired so the Lakers could finally do away with Russell Westbrook, either via trade or benching.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham will play Pat Bev and Russ side-by-side, and the players have already connected, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/N3Y2PFexH9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 31, 2022
Now head coach Darvin Ham says that these guys will play side-by-side in the 2022-23 season.
The two players have met and hashed out their rocky past and seem ready to move forward and achieve greatness.
Said Beverley: “We are excited and we are hungry. Watch us work.”
Many people will be watching the Lakers work – but few think these two guys will actually be on the same team.
Bringing In Beverley
The chances of Westbrook leaving the Lakers have seemingly never been higher.
Now that Beverly is on board, the team could make moves to send Westbrook – and his gigantic contract – away.
After the Kyrie Irving trade talks broke down, most people assumed the team would stick by Westbrook’s side in the new season.
But now it looks like they are following Plan B to end the Westbrook era.
There is a chance that none of this happens and Westbrook remains with the Lakers.
But the idea of him being on the floor alongside Beverley and LeBron James doesn’t make a lot of sense and truly doesn’t feel likely.
No matter what Ham or Beverley says, the writing about Westbrook looks to be on the walls.