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Boston Celtics ‘potential suitor’ for Ex-Lakers guard: Report

By Sam LaFrance

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Russell Westbrook #0 and Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers interact against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Russell Westbrook #0 and Patrick Beverley #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers interact against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics do not have a ton of money to spend on free agents this summer. Boston will only be able to sign players to minimum contracts, with the exception of one to the taxpayer MLE, per Spotrac.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, one player that the Celtics have their eye on is Chicago Bulls guard Patrick Beverley.

“Amid interest to return to Chicago and other contenders, Patrick Beverley has another potential suitor in Boston, sources said,” Fischer wrote on Friday — just hours before the moratorium period.

Is Patrick Beverley a good fit with the Boston Celtics?

Yeah, Beverley rules. His one nickname on Basketball Reference is “Mr. 94 Feet.” That pretty much screams Boston Celtics.

When the 34-year-old was floated as a possible fit for the Cs, fans on Twitter were almost universally against the idea. This is kind of strange because his game fits the franchise’s identity: hard-nosed, gritty, and defensively focused.

It does make sense because — much like Marcus Smart — Beverley is one of those players that fans hate seeing their team play against, but love when he’s playing for them. Throughout his 11-year NBA career, he has been named to three of the NBA’s All-Defensive teams, making the Second Team twice in 2013-14 and 2019-20, and the First Team in 2016-17.

Last season, Beverley split his time between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. He appeared in 67 total games, averaging 6.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in about 27.1 minutes per game.

He didn’t have the most efficient shooting season, knocking down just 40.0% of his attempts from the floor and 33.5% of those from beyond the arc. After joining the Bulls late in the season, the veteran guard helped to lead their bench unit, as Chicago battled for the final spot in the Eastern Conference Play-In tournament.

Boston could use a player who brings intensity after trading Smart away last week. Beverley would be able to fill that void — at least a little bit — if he joined the Celtics. Plus it’d be nice to have a defensive-minded guard to bring off of the bench to pair with Payton Pritchard.