The NBA trade deadline is over but not without its drama and surprises. Fans around the league were shocked by the Kyrie Irving trade which caused some extra hurt to Lakers fans. Many believed that Irving would reunite with his old teammate LeBron James to bring the old squad back together. However, that did not happen, and some of the moves that did take place by the front office were not taken so well by fans.?
The Los Angeles Lakers front office shook things up in terms of their roster by making some substantial trades just as the trade deadline came near. Both Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook were traded away to different teams.
Fans are not happy with the departure of Patrick Beverley
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According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers traded away Patrick Beverley to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Mo Bamba. While it may be an upgrade at their center position, some fans seemingly did not feel that way.
Many reminisced about?the time when Beverley shoved DeAndre Ayton during a scuffle for his teammate.
One fan tweeted, ?L trade I do like Mo Bamba but Pat a Real one Laker legend.?
Here are a few more reactions from NBA Twitter:
L trade I do like Mo Bamba but Pat a Real one Laker legend
— @ (@ese__john) February 9, 2023
I would have kept bev. He did all the dirty work behind the scenes that went unnoticed. And thomas bryant was honestly better than mo, but its fine, we move
— Lakers Fan (@demolisheur) February 9, 2023
Honestly going to miss this guy
— . (@Bronnysburner1) February 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/dannyshadid/status/1623817561497300994?s=20&t=MDyxMAPweGDXxazyW_hLoQ
I’m actually sad.
— Nick ⁶𓅓 (@quones24) February 9, 2023
wait what we have no backcourt defenders now in a conference stacked will star guards
— LAL KING (@LALKING_) February 9, 2023
Many fans in the comments section believed that Beverley was an integral part of the team, who did the dirty work when no one else would.
Does the Westbrook trade help LeBron James?
The Los Angeles Lakers traded away two of their three points guards in a flash. While Beverley went to Orlando, Russell Westbrook was traded away to the Utah Jazz.
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While the Lakers possibly gave away their depth at the point guard position, they got one of their former players back. D?Angelo Russell was brought back to Los Angeles in a three-team trade.
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While Westbrook brought a lot of energy and relentlessness to the floor, he was arguably still a liability as a shooter. D?Angelo Russell on the other hand is not, and this could be beneficial for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
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The 6?4″ point guard is more than capable of creating his shot and knocking down multiple threes with consistency.
What are your thoughts on Pat Bev and Westbrook’s departures from the purple and gold franchise? Let us know in the comments section below.