Grade the Deal: 76ers sign free agent guard Patrick Beverley
The Philadelphia 76ers are currently fettered by the Damian Lillard news which sent shockwaves around the league atop the ongoing James Harden saga, but they finally struck their first signing this offseason.
On Day 2 of free agency, veteran guard Patrick Beverley agreed to a one-year, minimum-salary deal with the Sixers. The 11-year veteran is expected to play a key rotation role off the bench as a stabilizer, especially on the defensive end of the floor where he remains one of the peskiest around the league.
Beverley split time last season with the Lakers and Bulls, having been traded to the latter at the deadline and enjoyed a productive stint there as one of the catalysts behind Chicago’s late-season run to clinch a play-in berth.
Will the seasoned guard be able to bring his notorious toughness and blue-collar play to Philly next season? Let’s grade the deal.
Was signing Patrick Beverley a smart move by the 76ers?
The 76ers entered free agency in need of further backcourt insurance, especially with Harden’s exit almost a foregone conclusion at this juncture. Hence, it wasn’t surprising to see them go after Beverley, who not only fills a need, but also fits into the front office’s limited wiggle room to spend.
As things now currently stand, Philly will have Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, seldom-used Jaden Springer, and Beverley in the backcourt (not counting Harden). With the former two projected to start games, the soon-to-be 35-year-old suddenly becomes an important player in Nick Nurse’s rotation.
Beverley’s offensive repertoire is limited, but as a bench piece, even that should suffice against opposing second units. His three-point stroke has regressed since perennially hovering around 40 percent from 2015 to 2021, but his similarly limited volume should mask up some of that decline.
Nevertheless, the 76ers signed Beverley nary of any thought that he can become a catalyst offensively. Known around the association as an intense defender, he will instantly assume the role of enforcer on the defensive end along with Joel Embiid and PJ Tucker. Good luck scoring against lineups featuring at least two of those three.
Naysayers will interject on Pat Bev’s reputation as more of a talker than walker, but he will inject some much-needed veteran presence and toughness to a squad that has frequently exhibited a lack of mental fortitude last season, especially in close games. While his playing time will definitely dwindle from last season, rest assured that his impact will not be hampered by such.
Is this a perfect signing? No. Beverley’s skill set is actually already on the roster in the form of Melton, but his intangibles will be loved by fans in Philly. And for that price? Give Daryl Morey and the 76ers some well-deserved credit here.
Grade: A-
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