Amid interest to return to the Chicago Bulls and other contenders, guard Patrick Beverley has another potential NBA suitor in the Boston Celtics, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Beverley played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Bulls this past season. He is an unrestricted free agent. The Celtics traded former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, so they could use a rugged defender and leader like Beverley.
“Amid interest to return to Chicago and other contenders, Patrick Beverley has another potential suitor in Boston, sources said,” Fischer wrote.
Beverley spent the first five years of his NBA career with the Houston Rockets. The feisty guard averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 291 games with Houston while shooting 41.4% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 76.4% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Patrick Beverley, Chicago Bulls & Boston Celtics Updates
The Rockets, who never missed the playoffs with Beverley, traded Pat Bev to the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2017 in the blockbuster Chris Paul trade. Beverley, a Chicago native, has played for the Rockets, Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers and Bulls.
Beverley split time between the Lakers and Bulls this past season. He was traded by Los Angeles to the Orlando Magic at the February trade deadline. After Beverley was bought out by the Magic, he joined his hometown Bulls. The Arkansas product averaged 6.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 67 games with the Lakers and Bulls.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Patrick Beverley, Chicago Bulls & Boston Celtics Updates
The Lakers, led by All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, made it to the 2023 Western Conference Finals, while the Bulls missed the playoffs despite having Beverley, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. Los Angeles got swept by the Denver Nuggets in the conference finals.
Beverley has career averages of 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. The 34-year-old has made three All-Defensive teams since entering the NBA in 2012. It will be fascinating to see where he’s playing next season.
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