Los Angeles Lakers Send Patrick Beverley Packing, Acquire Backup Big

Just hours after trading Thomas Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers have gone out and replaced him with another backup big, albeit with a completely different skillset.

The Los Angeles Lakers are trading Patrick Beverley and second-round draft compensation to the Orlando Magic for Mo Bamba, sources tell @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/89P7RcZ9N7
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 9, 2023

According to numerous reports, the Lakers have acquired Mo Bamba from the Orlando Magic, sending Patrick Beverley on the move once again.

For Pat Bev, the Magic are his 4th team in the last year. He was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Utah Jazz as part of the Rudy Gobert trade, but the Jazz turned around and sent him to the Lakers before the season.

Multiple reports are saying that he'll eventually be routed back to the Timberwolves via a buyout.

REPORT: Pat Bev reunion in Minnesota “in the works” via buyout market, per @DaneMooreNBA pic.twitter.com/iSaS9sOh0V
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 9, 2023

Bamba was part of a glut of 6'10"+ big men in Orlando and was being squeezed out of minutes. He'll bring a floor-spacing athletic, shot-blocking presence to the Lakers off the bench. Bamba was averaging 39.8% on threes this season.

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports