The Los Angeles Lakers have made their first major trade ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season. The franchise has traded for Patrick Beverley from the Utah Jazz and has sent Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson in exchange.
Obviously, Beverley was not the player that fans had in mind considering the Lakers were linked to Kyrie Irving throughout the offseason. But with the Brooklyn Nets deciding not to trade Irving, it left the Lakers with no option other than to get another player.
Ever since the Purple and Gold announced this trade, it has seemingly changed the entire viewpoint of the Lakers’ fanbase. Previously, Lakers fans hated Pat Bev due to his antics against their franchise.
On top of that, just some time ago, Beverley was part of their neighbors, the Los Angeles Clippers. So if the fanbase has a hard time adjusting to seeing Pat Bev don the iconic Purple and Gold jersey, it will be of no surprise.
However, the fact remains that the Lakers’ fans have already started praising Beverley. Below the first tweet by Beverley as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, many fans praised him and are excited to see him play for the team.
Woke up a Laker!!! 💜💛🙏🏾 Its On!!!
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) August 25, 2022
Looking at the comments below the tweet, it seems like fans have quickly changed their minds about Pat Bev. On that note, here are some of the best reactions from fans about Beverley joining the Lakers:
We loved him now that he’s on our team but hated him when we he played against us 🤔
Welcome to Lakers Nation!
— Orlando Silva (@osilvb) August 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/certifiednugget/status/1562769569990975493
LETS GOOOO 💜💛
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) August 25, 2022
What a story of success, came from LA's jv team and now making it to the LA's varsity team. Hardwork pays off.
— Hater (@swishsmith2020) August 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/LOVEJONEZ215/status/1562784545593643010
What’s on? No disrespect my dude BUT the Lakers ain’t winning unless you give Street Clothes some tough juice and he gonna need that by the 18 wheeler load.
— Precocious Neophyte 💯💪🏾 (@DreJaxBx) August 25, 2022
Always thought you were a bit of a tool, with that being said I think your exactly what this team needs. Your going to be the guy holding everyone accountable on D. Welcome to LA Pat, looking forward to watching you in the Purple and Gold 👍
— Lakers (@show_lakers24) August 25, 2022
Major W
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) August 25, 2022
Let's go get that chip dawg!!!
— Robert (@RobertRaymond46) August 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/RuthlessCuler/status/1562763904949702658
As one fan mentioned, Beverley is the type of player that every team loves to have on their team but hates to have play against their team.
Beverley’s stats might not light up on the box score, but that’s not his role. His role is to lead the team’s defense and continue with his antics. He has the talent of getting into somebody’s head with his trash talk and shenanigans. The Lakers were certainly in need of a player like that, and now they have it.
