The Los Angeles Lakers are looking ready to head into training camp with their current roster, which includes disgruntled point guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook will now share a backcourt with a player he has had an incredible rivalry with in Patrick Beverley, who was traded to the team for Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson.
Beverley had his introductory press conference with the Lakers, where he already ruffled some feathers by roasting LeBron James and Anthony Davis for not making the playoffs last season. He also expressed his excitement in sharing a backcourt with Westbrook.
Coach Darvin Ham is very excited to have Beverley on this squad as he matches the style Ham wants to employ with the Lakers. Ham called Beverley a lovely addition to the squad and is excited to see him set the tone for the veterans as well as the young players.
Darvin Ham on Patrick Beverley: “I think he’s going to be a lovely addition to our ball club and a great tone setter … you heard him mention the grit, the grind, just being a dog out there.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 6, 2022
Will Adding Patrick Beverley Be Enough?
At the end of the day, the ideal Lakers roster just sees complementary players next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The 2020 championship-winning roster was often doubted prior to the bubble for lacking many things like shooting or reliable point guard play by anyone not named LeBron James. Despite that, they went on to win the title.
Beverley, as a supporting piece, is almost perfect for what the Lakers were looking to achieve. He is capable of knocking down open shots and is a gritty defender. He isn’t going to command the ball very often, so Westbrook and he could fit in a backcourt together.
The Lakers still have question marks around their entire roster that could have been settled by trading Westbrook for multiple players from a team like the Utah Jazz. However, the team has made the decision to acquire Beverley and no one else, so Coach Ham will make it work with what he’s got. Considering he has LeBron James on his team, he shouldn’t be complaining too much.
