The Los Angeles Lakers have been in great need of reinforcements after going through what has been widely considered their worst season ever.
L.A. was expected to contend for the NBA championship after trading for Russell Westbrook last summer. Instead, it plunged to a 33-49 record and the indignity of missing the play-in tournament.
As the season went on, it seemed team morale only grew worse and worse, especially amid reports of discontent between Westbrook and the rest of the team.
But now, the Lakers are taking a step in the right direction by acquiring Patrick Beverley from the Utah Jazz for Talen Horton-Tucker.
The Jazz are trading Patrick Beverley to the Lakers for Talen Horton-Tucker, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 25, 2022
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported the trade also has forward Stanley Johnson going to Utah.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in advanced talks on a trade to acquire Utah Jazz guard Patrick Beverley for Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson, sources tell ESPN. Deal could be finalized as soon as Thursday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 25, 2022
It may not be a big step in the right direction, but it is a step nonetheless.
Beverley, 34, will help fortify what was a weak perimeter defense for the Lakers last season. He has also been a strong 3-point shooter throughout his 10-year pro career.
Perimeter defense and 3-point shooting have been arguably the team’s two biggest weaknesses.
