The Los Angeles Lakers appeared to have made a late offseason move Wednesday night, with multiple reports indicating they are on the verge of signing veteran point guard Patrick Beverley from the Utah Jazz. Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson would go to Utah in return. Beverley was seen as a key contributor to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ return to the playoffs last season, starting 54 games and averaging 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 34.3 percent from the field. three points. Included as part of the five-player, five-pick package for Rudy Gobert in July, Beverley will come through Utah without suiting up for the Jazz. Barring any further moves by the Lakers, Beverley would be in the backcourt mix alongside Russell Westbrook, with whom he shares a controversial history. Horton-Tucker took off in his third season with LA despite playing a bigger role (25.2 mpg vs. 20.1 in 2020-21). Johnson, originally drafted No. 8 by Detroit in 2015, continued with the Lakers after a couple of 10-day contracts, eventually averaging 6.7 ppg and 3.2 rpg in 22.8 mpg in 48 games (27 starts). The Lakers and Jazz are expected to complete the deal Thursday morning, shipping Beverley to LA after a brief stint with the Jazz. No options are included in the deal, per sources. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 25, 2022 ESPN’s story on the Lakers completing a trade to acquire guard Patrick Beverley: — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 25, 2022 Jazz trade Patrick Beverley to Lakers for Talen Horton-Tucker, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium . — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 25, 2022 And Johnson. Yes. Fast tweeting. — Sarah Todd (@NBASArah) August 25, 2022 Shortly after news of the trade broke, Beverley took to Twitter and posted a praying hands emoji. Beverley’s move to Utah continues an offseason of change for the Jazz, in which they traded 3-and-D swingman Royce O’Neale to Brooklyn in June and have had trade rumors surrounding All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell for weeks . 🙏🏾 — Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) August 15, 2022
