Did Daryl Morey inadvertently deceive Patrick Beverley? Define ‘deceive’...
Beverley said he asked Morey whether he would be traded during a Sixers stop in Denver. Morey told Beverley there was no cause for concern.
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Patrick Beverley is on his way to the Milwaukee Bucks.
While he’s grateful for his time in Philly, the veteran guard is excited to reunite with Doc Rivers, the former 76ers coach now with the Bucks and whom Beverley played for as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.
”I know his message clearer than anyone. He wants to win,” Beverley said Thursday on his live podcast after hearing the news. “I know his system, too.”
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Beverley did note, however, that when the Sixers played the Denver Nuggets — they last played on Jan. 25 — he asked president of basketball operations Daryl Morey if he would be dealt at the trade deadline. Morey, who was labeled “a liar” by James Harden during his trade request last year, said no.
“So we’re playing in Denver, and I hit Daryl Morey with the, ‘Hey, I’m getting traded?’ ” Beverley said. “[Morey replied], ‘You? No, not you. Of course not.’ ”
“So he’s a liar?” cohost Adam Ferrone replied.
“But you got to think, there’s probably a bigger move that’s about to happen, you know, if you want to win right now,” Beverley said after a laugh. “A player like me, I want to win right now.”
Beverley was traded for Cameron Payne and a second-round pick, but didn’t display any animosity toward Morey. Instead, he explained that he was playing too well for a contending team not to inquire.
But Ferrone said Morey betrayed Beverley’s trust.
”[Morey] made a miscalculation,” Ferrone said. “You don’t take a dog off a team.”
The Bucks have been in the market for defensive help, especially in the backcourt after trading Jrue Holiday. They finished near the bottom of the league in total defense and allowed enough points to get rookie head coach Adrian Griffin fired despite a 30-13 record.
Despite their recent slide, the ability to contend is the most exciting part for Beverley.
“The possibility of winning a championship,” he emphasized.
Ferrone is in.
”Get a championship, bro,” Ferrone said. “Go get a [expletive] ring.”
But first, the Bucks — along with Beverley and Rivers — come to Philly on Feb. 25.
”Mark your calendars,” Ferrone said.