Betsided

Patrick Beverley's Wild Prediction Offers Potential Big Payday for Lakers Bettors

By Ben Heisler

Former Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley said on ESPN back in May that if he played on the Lakers, they'd make the Western Conference Finals in 2023
Former Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley said on ESPN back in May that if he played on the Lakers, they'd make the Western Conference Finals in 2023 / Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
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Point guard Patrick Beverley is a 10-year NBA veteran, a 12-year professional basketball player, and a 3-time All-NBA Defensive Team member (first team - 2017, second team 2014, 2020).

He may want to add "Professional Psychic" to his resume.

The 34-year old was traded to the Utah Jazz from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the blockbuster deal in early July to acquire center Rudy Gobert. Yet back on May 18 of this year, Beverley, still a member of the Timberwolves, made this prediction to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on the "Stephen A's World" show:

"If I was a free agent. And I played for the Lakers. I'm going to the playoffs. I'm going to the Western Conference Finals...

"Who's the leader? They had success when there was a leader there. Who's telling LeBron you got to be low man, bro? That ain't your help out, you got to 'X' out. Who's telling him that?"

When Smith pressed him on whether he would actually be the guy to tell LeBron these things, Beverley emphatically followed it up:

"I'm gonna tell everyone that. I want to win. It's not about me scoring 20. Or 15 dimes. I want to win. I want to beat everyone I play... That's it!"

Vegas Not Buying Patrick Beverley to Lakers as Western Conference, NBA Finals Contenders

Despite Beverley's proclamation, the oddsmakers don't think it's likely that the longtime veteran makes the impact he expects to have this season.

In fact, as BetSided's Peter Dewey explains, the move for Beverley is likely the start of several more moves to comes, with Russell Westbrook as the likely candidate to play elsewhere at the start of the season.

Right now at FanDuel Sportsbook, the Lakers are +800 to win the Western Conference Finals, trailing the following teams on the board:

NBA Western Conference Finals Odds

  • Golden State Warriors +320
  • Los Angeles Clippers +340
  • Phoenix Suns +450
  • Los Angeles Lakers +800

The 8/1 odds at FanDuel is the most generous odds currently offered on the market, with the consensus number for the Lakers rounding out at +700 for the season.

As for the NBA Finals winners, FanDuel has the Lakers all the way down to +2000, trailing eight other teams in the West and East before their name comes up.

The Lakers' championship window is dwindling, and with LeBron James locked up for at least the next two seasons on a $97.1 million max extension, Los Angeles will do everything in its power to make itself competitive.

If you're buying both Beverley's crystal ball-type prediction, as well as L.A being a sneaky Western Conference Finals contender, now might be the most opportune time to jump the market.

Follow all of Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE!

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