The Los Angeles Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley claimed that he left "$9 Million, $10 Million Less" from Sacramento Kings to resign contract with the team.
In early Monday on the first day of NBA free agency, Cory Joseph agreed to terms of a three-year $37 million contract with the Kings to back its point guard De-Aaron Fox. The Kings apparently considered Beverly for the position, but he chose to play with the Clippers.
Beverley told the Los Angeles Times that he made the right decision. He said that the human part of him wants to take the money, but he considered that all money isn't good money. He added that he did what was best for him and his family. He also said that he did what was best to stay on a winning team, and he feels like he made the right decision.
Kings' general manager Vlade Divac placed all bets in the first two days of free agency by filling up the team's stronghold. Divac signed contracts with the point guard Joseph, big men Dewayne Dedmon and Richaun Holmes, veteran wing Trevor Ariza and incumbent small forward Harrison Barnes. Sacramento was serious in filling up important positions in the team that might bridge the nine-game gap between them and the Clippers during the Western Conference's final playoff spot in the last season.
The Clippers point guard could have added strength to the team, and he could have been an ideal backup for Fox. His experience as a veteran and his defensive intelligence is needed by the rising Sacramento, finished 21st in defensive rating (110.8) last season.
Joseph has proven his worth playing for the Indiana Pacers. He is, undoubtedly, capable of providing support for the team but he isn't as accomplished as Beverley who is considered as one of the most prominent pests in the NBA.
The presence of the two young players Fox and Marvin Bagley, 2018 No. 2 overall pick that are in rookie contracts with the Kings uniquely positioned the team to address its needs by spending on veteran talent. The contract with Beverly would have fit to the need for a veteran in the team.
However, according to the report of Sam Amick of The Athletic Monday evening, the offer of the Kings fell short of the one Beverley ultimately agreed to in the Clippers. Mr. Amick twitted that the Kings offered $35 million over three years with partial guarantee in the third year.
