3. Patrick Beverley
Pat Bev hasn’t made many friends in NBA circles – fan or otherwise – but Portland could use the attributes that have allowed the former second-round pick to carve out a long career in the league.
The counting stats might not be what they were or what the Blazers are looking for, but as a backup point guard to spell Lillard – a piece the team was missing this year as it cycled through players such as Ryan Arcidiacono and Skylar Mays – Beverley would be worth the small salary he’ll likely demand on the open market.
The 34-year-old has started 67 games between the Lakers and Bulls this year with averages of 5.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 stocks. He doesn’t turn the ball over and accepts his role as a reserve.
Portland could use a veteran who provides toughness and attitude, knows how to get under opponents’ skin, can help run a second unit, and is a career 37 percent shooter from three.
Beverley signed an $801,614 deal to finish out the season in Chicago and shouldn’t cost more than a few million per season, even perhaps on a one-year deal that would allow the Blazers to move on if age finally catches up to the 11-year player (14 if you count his three years playing in Russia before he cracked an NBA roster).