Clippings: Patrick Beverley wants an extension with the Clippers

Patrick Beverley is entering the final year of his contract with the Clippers. He’s the longest-tenured player on the roster, but at age 32 (he turns 33 in less than a week), he isn’t the most pivotal player for the team’s future.

As a result, it stands to reason that Beverley doesn’t want to wait until free agency to negotiate his next contract. Right now, Beverley has a little bit of leverage — the Clippers needed him in their series against Utah to defend Donovan Mitchell, and he was also useful in the conference finals against Chris Paul and Devin Booker. But after another year, one in which Beverley could once again miss regular-season games due to injury and be further usurped on the depth chart by Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, or potentially someone else, Beverley’s value probably won’t be as high. That’s why Beverley reportedly is interested in an extension now with the Clippers, as noted by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

“Beverley loves playing in LA with the Clippers. He’s a big fan of Steve Ballmer as an owner.... Lawrence Frank has been great to Pat and his family.”

Any veteran can sign an extension with their current team provided the contract they are currently on lasts at least three seasons and two years have passed since they signed the deal. Beverley signed his most recent three-year contract in the summer of 2019, so he passes both conditions. On a related note, Paul George was able to sign an extension last offseason because he signed a four-year deal and had passed the two-year mark; the fact that he had signed the deal originally with Oklahoma City was immaterial.

Under the terms of a veteran extension, Beverley could add an additional four years worth $77.4 million to his current contract, which is paying him $14.2 million in 2021-22. Suffice to say, Beverley isn’t worth that much, and the Clippers won’t pay him that much, but it’s clear why an extension appeals to him. He doesn’t need to become a free agent to command his market value.

The Clippers are facing an escalating tax bill. George’s extension kicks in this year, as does Kennard’s. Kawhi Leonard is up for a new contract, as are Jackson and Nic Batum, and they’re probably all getting raises. The Clippers could keep Beverley around because they have his Bird rights, but that doesn’t mean they will, or even should.

Beverley is an oft-injured guard who doesn’t provide the necessary perimeter offensive burst for a championship team. He can play a role, but it’s not a role that the Clippers need to overpay for. The Clippers can also take their time — Beverley can sign an extension up until June 30, 2022, so the front office can get a much fuller picture of how Beverley fits into a healthy roster before committing to him for more years.

Usually, the trade-off for signing an extension is that a player sacrifices some financial upside for security. That doesn’t appear to be the case here. An extension — unless it’s substantially below-market, like the 3-year/$24 million extension Lou Williams just wrapped up — would benefit Beverley way more than the Clippers. It’s hard to see them committing to Beverley long-term when so many other roster moves are still up in the air.

More news for Friday:

• ProPublica analyzed how billionaire team owners dodge taxes. Well worth the read, and Steve Ballmer is used as a point of reference.
• The Orlando Magic will reportedly hire former Dallas assistant Jamahl Mosley as their new head coach. Out of the five head coaching openings that have been filled this offseason, four have gone to Black men.
• Michele Roberts spoke to Vincent Goodwill about the compressed season, players getting the vaccine, and how long she’ll stay as executive director of the players association.
• A Suns fan emailed commissioner Adam Silver to complain further about Beverley’s flagrant foul against Chris Paul. Pat noticed.