Laker guard reportedly available; unlikely option for Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors underwhelming start to the season has only increased speculation around potential mid-season trades, but one recent name is unlikely to garner interest from the reigning NBA champions.

The Warriors’ pacific rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, have also struggled to open the season, although they like Golden State have made a resurgence over the last week or two. Still, one of their high-profile guards could reportedly become available over the next month.

The Golden State Warriors are unlikely to have interest in Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley who will reportedly become available from December 15.

According to The Athletics’ Jovan Buha, the Lakers will make Beverley available once eligible on December 15. The 34-year-old was twice traded during the offseason, firstly to the Utah Jazz before the Lakers dealt Talen Horton-Tucker for him in late August.

"“One name to watch is Patrick Beverley, who’s the fourth-highest-paid player on the team at $13 million. Beverley is a still an elite defender and one of the group’s vocal leaders, but he’s averaging a career-low 4.1 points per game and shooting a career-worst 23.8 percent on 3s. Beverley, like Kendrick Nunn, could still have value on teams looking for veteran backcourt help. The Lakers’ needs and glut of guards make both expendable”, Buha wrote."

Beverley most recently made headlines for an altercation with the Phoenix Suns and Deandre Ayton (see above) which resulted in a three-game suspension. His play, as Buha described, has been less-than-impressive so far this season, reducing his value to contending teams like the Warriors.

Golden State and Beverley have had their own history, though the fiery guard has appeared to have respect for the Warriors style and superstar Stephen Curry. In a controversial debate on ESPN’s Get Up earlier this year, Beverley was highly critical of Suns’ guard Chris Paul while being complimentary of Curry.

Many fans on social media have been intrigued with the idea of Beverley on the Warriors, seeing him as a defensive presence that could aid Golden State’s bench issues. However, his $13 million contract make it unlikely that we see him in a Warrior uniform this season.

Golden State would need to give up at least one of their three recent lottery picks. Despite the trade potential of James Wiseman, the Warriors would want greater value than Beverley if they were to deal the former number two overall pick.

The presence and increasingly good form of Donte DiVincenzo also mitigate’s the need for another defensive-minded guard like Beverley. While he could still make sense at the Warriors, it’ll likely only happen under the premise that another team orchestrates a buyout scenario with him.