ESPN’s Windhorst thinks Suns are ‘really interested’ in Patrick Beverley
Jun 26, 2019, 1:47 PM | Updated: Jun 27, 2019, 8:05 am
Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 10, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
When playing matchmaker for the Phoenix Suns in free agency, it’s hard to find a better fit than Los Angeles Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley.
One of the league’s best defenders, pests and overall presences, it goes beyond intangibles for Beverley and what he would do in the Suns’ efforts to change the culture.
As a combo guard who can play off a more ball-dominant guard, Beverley has shot at least 38% from 3-point range each of the last four seasons and takes care of the ball too, committing only 1.1 turnovers a night last season with 3.8 assists per game.
Everything lines up with Beverley as exactly what the Suns need next to Devin Booker and as a free agent signing.
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Seems like the Suns agree.
On ESPN’s The Lowe Post podcast, ESPN NBA reporter Brian Windhorst suggested Phoenix is intrigued by Beverley.
“I think the Phoenix Suns are the team that is really interested in [Beverley].”
Citing the Suns’ cap space in the $15 million range, Windhorst presented a hypothetical situation in which the Suns offer Beverley a large contract at the beginning of free agency.
“The Phoenix Suns, let’s say they fly to Patrick Beverley’s home and James Jones and Jeff Bower and Devin Booker are in Patrick Beverley’s living room at 6 p.m. eastern on Sunday,” Windhorst said. “Let’s say Patrick Beverley receives (a big offer) … what does he do?”
That comes back to the origin of the conversation between Windhorst and ESPN NBA reporter Zach Lowe on the Clippers’ situation.
With the potential for two max free agent slots if they move the movable Danilo Gallinari, Los Angeles could be in limbo at the beginning of the process waiting on decisions from reported target Kawhi Leonard and a second potential max player.
If the Suns force Beverley and the Clippers into a choice right away, it could favor their chances of bringing the veteran point guard in, as Windhorst alludes to.
