Trevor Joseph
The Los Angeles Lakers have been making a lot of noise this off-season. The Lakers started off the summer in hot pursuit of all-star point guard and 1x NBA champion Kyrie Irving as well as giving LeBron James a two-year contract extension. But how do you go from attempting to bring in Kyrie Irving to trading for Patrick Beverley?
Beverley is a good player for what he brings to a team. He brings experience, leadership, and toughness that is unrivaled by any active player. Patrick Beverley is not the kind of player you bring in if you are in a championship or bust situation though.
Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka seems to have dropped the ball on this one. For the most part, when the Lakers have their sights set on an all-star caliber player, they get their way. Not this time as it seems as aiming for Irving and getting Beverley is a definite loss for L.A.
Fans confused about the latest move
This move has many Lakers fans confused and wondering why. The Lakers already have one struggling point guard in Russell Westbrook so why would they bring in another end of their career player?
Another issue that has been brought to light is the apparent “beef” between Westbrook and Beverley. It is well known around the NBA that Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley do not get along very well. Now it looks like they might have to play in the same backcourt together!
The Lakers were not successful in finding a trade destination for Westbrook and it is very unlikely he will agree to any kind of contract buyout. Russell Westbrook wants all the money his contract guarantees him and you can not blame him for that.
Hard times in Los Angeles
This leaves the Lakers in a very difficult situation as they are stuck with a point guard who does not get along with his teammates and can not fit into a LeBron-centered offense. The Lakers could be in some trouble with this latest trade and with the struggles that they have had the last few seasons this could be what pulls them under completely.
Will the Lakers be able to pull together to make another championship run, or will the infighting and injuries tear them apart even more? For wow we will just have to wait and see what happens as the NBA preseason is right around the corner, and there could be some trouble inside the Staples Center arena.
Image Credits: loc.getarchive.net.
