Los Angeles Clippers: Three players that could become trade bait
By Jason Reed
2. Patrick Beverley
Patrick Beverley was also acquired in the deal that sent Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets last summer. Where Dekker served as the youth of the deal, Beverley was a key role player that was supposed to give the Los Angeles Clippers some of the best depth in basketball.
With Milos Teodosic coming off the bench, the Clippers were replacing a superstar in Chris Paul with two different styles of guard that would feed off of each other. Beverley is an elite defender, probably top-three at the point guard position. Teodosic is the wizard, feeding passes that are effective and easy on the eyes.
However, this 1-2 punch never hit full stride as Beverley only played in 11 games last season. Now, as he enters the last season under contract, Beverley becomes an interesting trade chip that the Clippers could send to a contending team this offseason for some draft picks.
Right off the bat, the Oklahoma City Thunder could be an option, who would utilize Beverley’s defense off of the bench; or even the 76ers, who are going to need to replace J.J. Redick.
Regardless, the market for Beverley certainly is there and the Clippers may benefit more from parting ways. Selecting a replacement guard in the draft is easy as Trae Young could potentially fall to the Clippers.
As intriguing as a defensive backcourt would be with Beverley and Avery Bradley, it looks impossible. Bradley is hitting the open market as an unrestricted free agent this summer and Beverley will be trade bait.