Los Angeles Lakers acquire Patrick Beverley from Utah Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers are taking on Utah Jazz guard Patrick Beverley in a trade, the team announced on Thursday.

Deal sends Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker and forwards Stanley Johnson to Jazz.

“We are thrilled to add Patrick Beverley’s tenacity and competitive spirit to our team,” said Rob Pelinka, Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager. “We are confident that Patrick’s ‘3 and D’ style will fit in well with the rest of our squad and fit perfectly with Coach Ham’s philosophy of hard work and play smart.”

Beverley referenced the deal in a tweet Thursday morning, writing that it “woke a Laker up!”

Woke up a Laker!!! 💜💛🙏🏾 Here we go!!!

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) August 25, 2022

Beverley, 34, is returning to Los Angeles after spending 2017-2021 with the Clippers and brings with him an established ferocity and defensive presence that new coach Darvin Ham will bring determinedly to the defense that has been lacking in the past Season finished 21st in the league.

Beverley played a significant role in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ return to the playoffs last season before ending up in Utah as part of a trade with Rudy Gobert. Beverley was eager to join the Lakers in a trade, sources said, and was thrilled to learn about the upcoming deal.

Over the past five seasons, Beverley has saved opponents with 41.9% of shots as the closest defender, second best among players who saved 2,000 shots, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Beverley’s arrival on an expiring $13 million contract essentially leaves only LeBron James ($46.7 million) and Anthony Davis ($40.6 million) on the Lakers’ books in 2023-24 back, giving them significant headroom on the salary cap for the roster surrounding these two All-NBA stars.

The Jazz acquire 21-year-old Horton-Tucker as the franchise moves toward a rebuild. Utah remains active in trade talks over All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. Horton-Tucker averaged 10 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for the Lakers last season.

Johnson averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game last season.