Patrick Beverley revealed that he once made a significant financial sacrifice to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Clippers. I turned down a three-year, $50 million deal with Sacramento just to stay with the Clippers,” Beverley said.
The decision was particularly meaningful to him because of his role in the franchise’s history.
“For me to be there, with all the great guards they’ve had, I was part of that starting five that helped the Clippers go to the Western Conference Finals for the first time ever.”
Beverley pointed out the long list of prominent point guards who had played for the franchise, including James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo.
“They had a plethora of point guards that just could never help them get over the hump, but I was part of that starting five that helped them finally, for the first time ever — and they haven’t been back since — get to the Western Conference Finals.”
“I called Kawhi”
Beverley also recalled the negotiations surrounding his contract with the Clippers.
“The ‘no’ was like four to five million dollars total for one year. I left the meeting, I called Kawhi, and then they called me back down. My agent said they lifted it up to six to eight million.”
“And then I’m like, okay, well I definitely want to go for sure, because why do you need to call Kawhi for anything when I’ve been here the longest?”
The Minnesota chapter
Beverley also reflected on his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the significance of their 2022 playoff run.
“The first team we play against is the Clippers, and if we win, Minnesota gets into the playoffs after 16 years.”
Beverley recalled the many high-level players who had previously played for Minnesota, including Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose, as well as All-Star-caliber players such as Jeff Teague.
“Then you inject Pat Bev in there and we’re playing with a number seven seed.”
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