It's an exciting time to be a Los Angeles Lakers fan as the 2024-25 regular season resumes.
The NBA All-Star Break finishing means Lakers fans can finally witness what LeBron James and Luka Doncic are capable of together on the hardwood. JJ Redick's team was heading in the right direction before the break, leaving time to tell if they have what it takes to go on a championship run.
Although the trade deadline has passed, the Lakers can still improve their postseason odds by signing a free agent down the stretch. If general manager Rob Pelinka is looking to add another body, one former L.A. guard has made it clear he wants to return to the franchise this season.
Lakers News: Pat Beverley Clearly Wants to Join Los Angeles
On the latest episode of his podcast, veteran guard Patrick Beverley couldn't stop raving about the Lakers' roster following the trade deadline. He was even complimentary towards two of Doncic and James' supporting cast members, sounding like he wants to get in on the action.
"You look around the NBA, (Austin Reaves) might be the best third option," Beverley said. "(Rui Hachimura) might be the best fourth option in the NBA... I know we gave the Lakers a lot of criticism in the past and we were just being honest but the moves Rob Pelinka has made and Jeanie Buss has made have put the Lakers right up there, top-notch, when it comes to the quest to win a title."
Excited to see the new look Lakers go on a run after All Star break! pic.twitter.com/NttA8HCs2n
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) February 18, 2025
Even though Beverley didn't outright ask to be signed, the complimentary nature of his words suggests that he wouldn't mind being offered a contract by the Lakers.
After all, the Chicago, IL native is more than familiar with the franchise.
The Lakers drafted Beverley with the 2009 draft's 42nd overall pick before trading him to the Miami Heat one day later. The former Arkansas Razorback then spent over a decade bouncing around the NBA before returning to Los Angeles in a 2022 offseason deal that sent Stanley Johnson and Talen Horton-Tucker to the Utah Jazz.
The Lakers shipped Beverley out of town before the 2023 trade deadline, resulting in his spending time with the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks before joining Israel's Hapoel Tel Aviv for the 2024-25 season.
Beverley's time overseas ended earlier this month when Tel Aviv suspended him after getting into a disagreement with head coach Dimitris Itoudis. The three-time All-Defensive guard's contract was promptly terminated as he finished his time in Israel with 9.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and .492/.405/.750 splits in nine IBSL appearances.
Although he won't move the needle offensively at this stage of his career, Beverley is still a solid defender who's capable of providing a decent bench presence. He also brings grit and physicality to the table, which is something NBA teams love to see once the playoffs arrive.
With Cam Reddish being a potential cut candidate, the Lakers could replace the struggling guard with Beverley, who still showed he can make an impact on defense and from three-point range while overseas. There really isn't any major risk that would come with a cheap contract that expires in the offseason.
It remains to be seen how much a potential Beverley signing would boost L.A.'s title odds. For now, the Lakers will resume the regular season with the sixth-best 2024-25 NBA Finals odds (+1800) on DraftKings Sportsbook.
More Los Angeles Lakers News & Rumors:
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.