The Milwaukee Bucks have added another veteran guard to their roster, as they acquired Patrick Beverley from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Cameron Payne and a 2027 second-round pick, sources confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.
Bucks strengthen their backcourt with Beverley
The Bucks, who are the defending NBA champions, have been looking to bolster their backcourt depth and defense after losing PJ Tucker to the Miami Heat in free agency. Beverley, 35, is a three-time All-Defensive team selection who averaged 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 37 games for the LA Clippers last season. He also shot 39.7% from the 3-point range, which is a career-high.
Beverley will join a Bucks team that features two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, All-Star Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday, who was named to the All-Defensive first team last season. Beverley’s toughness, intensity, and leadership will be valuable assets for the Bucks, who are aiming to repeat as champions.
76ers clear cap space and acquire Payne
The 76ers, on the other hand, have cleared some cap space by trading Beverley, who is owed $14.3 million in the final year of his contract. They also acquired Payne, a 27-year-old point guard who had a breakout season with the Phoenix Suns, who reached the NBA Finals. Payne averaged 8.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 60 games for the Suns, while shooting 44% from the field and 44.5% from the 3-point range. He also played a key role in the playoffs, averaging 9.3 points and 3.2 assists in 20 games.
Payne will provide some scoring and playmaking off the bench for the 76ers, who are still dealing with the uncertain future of their All-Star guard Ben Simmons. Simmons, who struggled in the postseason, has been the subject of trade rumors and reports of a rift with the team. The 76ers have been seeking a high return for Simmons, who is under contract for four more years.
Trade reactions and implications
The trade was first reported by The Athletic and later confirmed by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The reactions from the NBA community were mostly positive, as both teams seemed to benefit from the deal. Austin Rivers, a former teammate of Beverley with the Clippers, praised the move on ESPN, saying that Beverley will bring a lot of energy and grit to the Bucks. Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA champion and analyst, also lauded the trade, saying that Beverley will fit well with the Bucks’ culture and style.
The trade also has some implications for the Eastern Conference landscape, as the Bucks and the 76ers are expected to be among the top contenders. The Bucks have shown their commitment to winning by adding another piece to their core, while the 76ers have created some flexibility and acquired a solid backup for their backcourt. Both teams will face some tough competition from the Brooklyn Nets, who have a healthy trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, as well as the Heat, who added Tucker, Kyle Lowry, and Markieff Morris in the offseason.
