Patrick Beverley Finds Extra Motivation in Facing Kyle Lowry, 76ers

After becoming one of the Philadelphia 76ers’ most notable signings in the 2023 NBA offseason, Patrick Beverley found himself dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks at the trade deadline last week.

The Sixers’ front office was busy last week, as they struck four deals before the deadline went into effect, dealing away a handful of players. Some of the players the Sixers parted ways with probably expected a change of scenery. Others, well, not so much.

Learning that he would be Milwaukee-bound, Beverley embraced the new opportunity coming his way. As excited as he was to join another Eastern Conference playoff contender, Beverley was shocked to find out he was moving since he was told last month that a trade wasn’t on the table.

No bad blood was created between Beverley and Philadelphia’s President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey. Although Morey assured Beverley that there wasn’t anything in the works at the time when he asked, the situation changed during the final weeks leading up to the deadline. The Bucks made an offer, the Sixers agreed, and Beverley made it clear that he wasn’t going to hold any grudges.

However, that doesn’t mean the veteran guard doesn’t have the February 25 matchup between the Bucks and the Sixers circled on his calendar. While Beverley is on solid terms with the 76ers following his departure, he’s still using the situation as motivation to offer the 76ers’ backcourt a tough challenge — and he’s specifically targeting their new addition, Kyle Lowry.

“I respect it, right? Doc [Rivers] came in and got his guy… Me. [Nick] Nurse went and got his guy… Kyle,” Beverley said this week on the Pat Bev Podcast. “Now, I see Nurse’s hand — man, I’m on Kyle’s [expletive] when we play Philly — straight up. That’s just how it go. Just how it go. How dare you? But say less. It’s going to be a good one.”

When the Miami Heat traded Kyle Lowry to the rebuilding Charlotte Hornets, it was apparent a buyout would be in the works at some point. Once Lowry was a potential buyout candidate, he was linked to the 76ers, who had several connections to the veteran guard and displayed interest in acquiring him in the past.

Nearly one week after the Sixers traded Beverley to the Bucks, the Sixers signed Lowry officially. He joined the recent trade acquisition Cameron Payne and became a candidate to replace Beverley. Knowing that the thought of landing Lowry was likely a driving factor in his departure, Beverley is using the situation as bulletin board material.

You can expect to see a more motivated Beverley in a couple of weeks when the Bucks pay a visit to the Sixers in South Philly. The February 25 matchup becomes the return of Doc Rivers and Beverley.