The Warriors did not secure the services of Patrick Beverley. The always entertaining, defense-oriented guard secured a buyout with the Orlando Magic after a trade away from the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to reports, and Beverley himself, he’s signing with the Chicago Bulls.
On the latest episode of The Pat Bev Podcast, he revealed that it came down to a logjam of backcourt talent and an easier playoff path in the East.
“It was between Golden State and the Bulls,” Beverley said. “Obviously it’s always good to play with a lot of great talent in Golden State, but a lot of guards over there. I figured I could make a playoff push with the Bulls right now and kind of pump them up a little bit. The East kinda weak.”
The 34-year-old guard averages 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game and joins an 11th-placed Bulls team that sits 11th in the East with a 26-33 record. The Warriors, at 29-29, are ninth in the West.
Golden State does have a surplus at guard, with Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Ty Jerome, Moses Moody and Klay Thompson. The Bulls, meanwhile, just shut down Lonzo Ball for the season, and could use some defensive help in the backcourt.