Grade the deal: Patrick Beverley returning to Rockets on four-year deal
Restricted free-agent guard Patrick Beverley has agreed to return to the Houston Rockets on a four-year, $25 million deal, reports Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.
Beverley, 27 next week, will make $18 million over the first three seasons with a non-guaranteed $5 million in the final year of the contract, reportsUSA Today’s Sam Amick.
Had Beverley signed an offer sheet as a restricted free agent, the Rockets would have had the right to match it and bring him back.
Known primarily as a defense-first guard, the 6'1", 210-pound Beverley signed with the Rockets as a free agent in 2013. He appeared in 56 games in each of the past two seasons; last year, he averaged 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 30.8 minutes per game. In March, he tore a ligament in his left wrist and underwent surgery that required at least four months of recovery.
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Over his three seasons in the NBA, Beverley has averaged 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He is a career 40.1% shooter and 36.1% from three-point range.
Earlier on Friday, the Rockets also agreed to terms with free-agent guard Corey Brewer on a three-year, $24 million deal.
Analysis: It wasn’t until the Western Conference finals last season that the Rockets’ patchwork point guard rotation was set ablaze and Beverley’s absence was felt fully. That was, in itself, a testament to the creative talents of James Harden, the versatile defense of Trevor Ariza, and the coaching of Kevin McHale. It was also indicative of life in the West, where it’s only a matter of time before some fellow contender finds and attacks an opposing roster’s biggest weaknesses.
Bringing Beverley back is a sufficient solution. Houston doesn’t need as much from its point guard slot as most teams given Harden’s proficiency as a ball handler. This mitigates Beverley’s limitations; what he can’t do as a shot creator matters less than what he can as a defender and spot shooter. So long as Beverley continues to hold his ground as a go-to defender and hit threes at a rate around the league average (or better), the Rockets make out well in this arrangement. — Rob Mahoney
Grade: B
- Mike Fiammetta
