NEWSLETTER
After Patrick Beverley took the floor on Feb. 24, the Chicago Bulls went 14-9.
They were tied for the 8th-highest winning percentage and owned the 3rd-best net rating in the NBA over that 23-game span. Now, does Beverley deserve all the credit? Not at all. But there is no question the mid-season free-agent signing added something that was desperately needed inside the Bulls’ locker room.
Indeed, the Bulls’ sense of urgency sky-rocketed to finish out the year. While it all ended in a depressing Play-In Tournament collapse, I have nothing but respect for the mentality Beverley helped the Bulls build. And it turns out he has nothing but respect for the organization giving him a chance to prove his worth.
“We locked in fast. It was fun. That sh*t was fun. That sh*t was fun, man,” Beverley reiterated on the Pat Bev Podcast. “Shoutout to the Bulls. Shoutout to the Bulls for giving me the opportunity. For real … To have an organization like that take a chance on a city kid like me, season not going well, for us to achieve some type of success finishing out he season is always a good thing. Shoutout to the Bulls.”
When we consider the end-of-season results, it’s hard not to declare Beverley’s stint back in his hometown a success. But does that mean we should expect it to continue?
The veteran point guard certainly didn’t shut down the idea of returning to the Bulls. However, he also sounded more than ready to survey the free agency market – one that could include multiple suitors after another solid defensive season where he also shot above 40 percent from downtown.
“I’m excited. It’s going to be a good summer, man,” Beverley said. “Unrestricted free agent. Hopefully, we’ll see what happens with the Bulls. But there are a lot of people out here who might want that Pat Bev juice for their team. I’m excited for that. I really am.”
Whether or not the Bulls would have any interest in retaining Beverley is up in the air. There is no question the organization will need bodies to fill in at the point guard spot with Lonzo Ball still sidelines. But, as well as Beverley played, he’s never been seen as a true facilitator. Not to mention, the Bulls are in desperate need of high-volume shooting and size at the wing. Using Beverley’s roster spot to fill those holes might be a necessity.
We also can’t forget that money is going to be tight. Beverley said on his podcast that he’s hoping to make even more than he did on his one-year contract this season.
“My game hasn’t dropped so I don’t think my number I made this year should drop,” Beverley said. “I’m at $13 [million] but the money does go up, so I’m at $13 [million] this year could become $15 [million] next year.”
The Bulls would have to make some significant changes to bring Beverley back within that price range. They could get somewhere close to that number and perhaps spice things up with multiple years by handing him the full mid-level exception (estimated to be roughly $11.2 million), but that simply wouldn’t be a smart move.
Now, is it possible that number drops, perhaps even drastically? Of course. You’re only as valuable as the market says you are. And we have yet to see what other teams are going to be willing to give him. Still, my best guess is that Beverley doesn’t return to Chicago to run things back. The Bulls have two other younger guards to prioritize re-signing in free agency with Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. I’d truly be shocked if they chose a 34-year-old Beverley over further developing either of those two guards.
None of this is to say I’d be particularly disappointed if Beverley does find his way back into a Bulls jersey. All I’m saying is that the front office has bigger fish to fry, and they must address those fish before evaluating Beverley’s future.
You can listen to Beverley’s full interview here.
