6. Trading for Patrick Beverley
Rob Pelinka’s track record trading for guards is not strong, but this was one of the most puzzling. The Lakers rebuffed interest in Talen Horton-Tucker several times during his three years in LA, including turning down a first-round draft pick from Toronto before trading the 22-year-old and Stanley Johnson to Utah for Patrick Beverley.
The Lakers were looking for a defensive boost from Mr. 94 Feet, but things did not work out. Beverley averaged 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.9 steals in 26.9 minutes per game as a starter in LA. He shot 40.2 percent from the field and 34.8 percent on his threes as the team went 21-24 with Pat Bev in the lineup.
They desperately needed to make a change, so the Lakers flipped Beverley to the Magic in a four-team deal that brought Mo Bamba to LA. The 6’1 guard was immediately bought out before signing with his hometown Chicago Bulls to finish the season.
Patrick Beverley has an established reputation, and he just did not fit on the Lakers. Rob Pelinka could have received a first-round pick for THT, but he instead opted for 45 subpar games of Pat Bev in what can be called a disastrous trade.