Clippers Say Goodbye to Patrick Beverley in 4-Player Trade

The Los Angeles Clippers have traded the always contentious Patrick Beverley, along with Rajon Rondo and center Daniel Oturu to the Memphis Grizzlies, in return for shooting guard Eric Bledsoe in a deal that gives the Clippers luxury tax relief.

The Los Angeles Clippers are trading Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo and Daniel Oturu to the Memphis Grizzlies for guard Eric Bledsoe, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 16, 2021

In addition to the $30 million dollars in luxury taxes saved, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers also create an $8.3 million dollar "traded player exception" that they have one year to use. 

The 31-year-old Bledsoe returns to the Clips after having spent the first three years of his NBA career there. He's averaged 12 PPG in his 11-year career, but it's his skills on defense that have been his hallmark.

The New Orleans Pelicans had traded Bledsoe to the Grizzlies just before the NBA Draft in a salary cap move, with the understanding that the Grizzlies would look to move him along to another franchise. 

Rondo and Beverley are both on expiring contracts for the upcoming season, providing some nice salary cap space for Memphis in the summer of 2022. 

In the meantime, those two could add a lot of "grit" (though long-time detractors might have less pleasant terms to describe the two of them) to the Memphis backcourt—maybe. There are several NBA Insiders suggesting there's no guarantee that they both start the season with the Grizz.

Gotta wonder if one or both of Rondo and Beverley get bought out. Grizzlies have 17 players and two PGs in their early 20s.

— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) August 16, 2021

The Grizzlies, with an already packed roster, are open-minded on the futures of all three players in Memphis -- and will likely consider trades with some of those arriving in this deal. Memphis gets salary cap flexibility in the summer of 2022 with trade.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 16, 2021

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports