(Audacy) After getting traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Orlando Magic at the deadline and then subsequently getting waived three days later, veteran guard Patrick Beverley became a top target in the buyout market. The defensive-minded Beverley ultimately decided to join his hometown Chicago Bulls, though the Warriors were supposedly in his final two.
On his latest episode of “The Pat Bev Podcast,” Beverley explained why he didn’t land with Golden State.
“It was between Golden State and the Bulls,” Beverley said. “Obviously, it’s always good to play with a lot of great, talented guys at Golden State, but a lot of guards over there, you know? I figured I could make a playoff push with the Bulls and pump ‘em up a little bit. The East kinda weak. I’m excited man.”
The 34-year-old Beverley remains a trash-talking nuisance on the defensive end, but the Warriors already added perimeter help at the trade deadline by acquiring Gary Payton II. Star Steph Curry (leg) and Payton (core muscle) are still out for the near future but will rejoin a squad that features Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo and Ty Jerome in the backcourt rotation.
For Chicago, Beverly’s acquisition will help soften the loss of guard Lonzo Ball, who has been out all season with a left knee injury and who was officially rule out Tuesday morning for the remainder of the season. The Bulls (26-33) will return from the All-Star break at 11th in the East, two games out of the play-in tournament race. The Warriors (29-29) currently occupy the No. 9 seed in the West.
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