It has been an interesting week so far for veteran point guard Patrick Beverley. He started the week as Los Angeles Clipper but just days later, he’s already been traded twice. First to the Memphis Grizzlies along with Rajon Rondo in exchange for Daniel Oturu and Eric Bledsoe. Then he got shipped to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Juan Hernangomez and Jarrett Culver. 

In Beverley, the Timberwolves are not only inheriting a contract that would pay him $14.320 million in the coming 2021-22 NBA season, but someone that they actually need. 

Here’s what Adrian Wojnarowski had to say about the deal:

Minnesota gets the toughness and leadership of Beverley for its young, developing roster. Gersson Rosas had Beverley on his team with Rockets and knows what he brings. Memphis continues to add talent along the margins, including Culver, who's only 22 and a former No. 6 pick.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 17, 2021

The Timberwolves are sort of ushering in a new era for the franchise with the team now under a new-look corporate map. Former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and business tycoon Marc Lore have become part of the Timberwolves’ ownership. A change in direction could be on the horizon for the team, and while Beverley’s not exactly a marquee signing that people will remember several years from now, he’s got an opportunity to greatly influence the basketball culture in Minnesota. 

The Timberwolves have youth and talent for years, but have failed over and over again in getting over the hump. Since 2004, they have only appeared in the playoffs just once. That’s despite them having a cornerstone in Karl-Anthony Towns, who is easily one of the best players of this generation and a former All-Star guard in D’Angelo Russell. Jimmy Butler failed to get the young Timberwolves on the same page. His intensity did not rub off  on KAT and company. Unlike Butler, though, Beverley is not dreaming to be Minnesota’s alpha, so he’s really not going to step on anyone’s toes over there.

The Timberwolves will look to try that approach again, this time with Beverley, whose tenacity whether he’s on or off the floor has long been proven infectious. His style of play and leadership should reflect on the improvement the Timberwolves are expected to gain defensively. Last season, they were 28th in the league in adjusted defensive rating and 29th in scoring defense. You bet, Beverley is already rehearsing the words he’s going to scream into the faces of Russell, Malik Beasley.

At this point of his career, Beverley getting traded to Minnesota is like the basketball equivalent of an exile. But that should be fine for a player who isn’t new to challenges.