NBA Rumors: Patrick Beverley Arrival In L.A. Could Mean The End For One Laker

When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Patrick Beverley in the last 24 hours, it was undoubtedly without consulting one of their current team members. Because the fact is, Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook have had a serious beef going for years and years. Russ actually can't stand Pat Bev.

Pat Beverley’s arrival makes it more likely Russell Westbrook will not play with the Lakers this year, per @jovanbuha

L.A. may trade him or send him home the way the Rockets did with John Wall last season pic.twitter.com/i8hrhiHnPJ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 25, 2022

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Beverley's arrival means that "Westbrook is more likely to be off the Lakers’ active roster by the start of training camp."

Ironically, Pat Bev's two biggest strengths—defense and 3-point shooting—are Westbrook's biggest weaknesses.

Something's gotta give. This is a beef that goes back a long time. And the two of them reconciling "is a tall order, if not impossible," according to Buha. If you don't know the background, it's worth a watch:

The beef was still sizzling this season, as the last time they faced each other, Beverley mocked Westbrook, holding his nose and yelling “he’s trash” at the Lakers’ bench.

Buha suggests that the Lakers will ship off Wesbrook before training camp begins, "either through a trade or (by) the team sending him home" as the Houston Rockets did with John Wall last season.

Photo: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports