The LA Clippers no longer have Patrick Beverley in their team. The Clippers traded Beverley along with Rajon Rondo and Daniel Oturu in exchange for Eric Bledsoe. Beverley was the last remaining figure from the Clippers’ exciting 2019 core. Over the last year, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams left the Clippers to join the Lakers and the Hawks respectively.
Montrezl Harrell had a solid stint with the Clippers. After the Chris Paul trade, Harrell started performing at a higher level. Harrell became a solid bench option during the 2018-19 season, becoming a cornerstone of the Clippers’ team that secured the eighth seed in the Western Conference. After the arrival of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, Harrell stepped up his game.
In the 2019-20 season, Harrell was named the NBA Sixth Man Of The Year. But during the Playoffs, after the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead over the Nuggets, Harrell had a falling out with George and Leonard. During free agency, Harrell signed with the Clippers’ cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.
As for Lou Williams, he saw his role diminished with the arrival of Leonard and George. Williams was the reigning 3-time NBA Sixth Man Of The Year when the duo arrived. And as the season went on, his minutes continued to reduce. And at the 2020-21 NBA Trade Deadline, the Clippers traded Williams to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.
The Clippers pursued Rondo during free agency but weren’t able to get him. Williams, who was 35 at the time, got the chance to once again play for his home team and has stayed there after re-signing in free agency.
And then there was none… 😳 pic.twitter.com/TJHsheUz5Z
— NBA Analysis Network (@HoopAnalysisNet) August 16, 2021
Beverley was one of the cornerstones of the Clippers franchise, marshaling the squad as one of the best defenders on the team. But Beverley’s offensive output had reduced significantly over the last few seasons. Therefore, he was deemed surplus to requirement in exchange for Bledsoe, who is a more offensive-minded point guard.
The trio formed the solid core that tempted Leonard and George to the Clippers and provided them the depth to become championship contenders. But within just two seasons of the superstar duo arriving, the trio left the Clippers, through trades and free agency. Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley were very excited for the chance to play with Leonard and George, as they reacted to the news when it first broke. But as time went on, they would come to regret the move and parted ways with the Clippers.
