Patrick Beverley has been around the NBA and even had a short stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. Most recently, he was playing with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League before parting ways on February 13th.
What he is most known for these days is his podcast, the Pat Bev Pod.
On a recent episode, he was talking about the Lakers and had some high praise for how the team is constructed and thinks they are a real threat to contend for an NBA Title.
His reasoning, that while LeBron James and Luka Doncic are the stars, the combination of Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura is what sets the Lakers apart.
Patrick Beverley Calls Los Angeles Lakers Guard Austin Reaves Best 3rd Option
Beverley gives a shoutout to Jaxson Hayes saying that he got a “shot in the arm” with the trade that almost happened but never was. He has now been thrust into the starting role and is a great “lob option” and rim protector for Doncic.
Then he gets to Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.
“You look around the NBA, he might be the best 3rd option in the NBA, in Austin Reaves. You talk about your 4th option in Rui Hachimura. He might be the best 4th option in the NBA. I like the Lakers, I like what they’ve done.”
He is correct that you can make the argument that the Lakers have one of the best starting 5s in the NBA. The problem arises with depth.
Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers Provide Huge Luka Doncic Injury Update
Once the playoffs roll around, teams usually run with a much shorter bench. So you don’t have to be stacked 6-12, but you do need a few bench pieces that can have a real impact. Can Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, and Jarred Vanderbilt be that for the Los Angeles Lakers?
We will get a glimpse with the 2nd half of the season kicking off.