NBA champion Doc Rivers sold Patrick Beverley on joining the Philadelphia 76ers despite getting fired after the 2023 playoffs ended.
Beverley, who played for Rivers on the Los Angeles Clippers, called his former coach before signing with the Sixers.
Beverley signed a one-year, $3.2 million contract with the Sixers, who replaced Rivers with Nick Nurse. Meanwhile, Rivers will not be coaching in 2023-24.
Beverley spent the first five years of his career with the Houston Rockets. The feisty guard averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 291 games with Houston.
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, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Doc Rivers, Patrick Beverley & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Beverley split time between the Lakers and Bulls last 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.
The Lakers, led by 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. He will certainly help the Sixers become a better defensive team.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Doc Rivers, Patrick Beverley & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Philly is currently dealing with James Harden’s trade request. The former MVP wants to get traded to the Clippers. Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are on board with Harden joining them in Los Angeles.
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