Chicago Bulls are signing guard Patrick Beverley to shore up backcourt depth

The Bulls are bringing in Pat Bev to replace Lonzo Ball at the point guard position.

The Chicago Bulls did not take long to make a move after missing out on signing former league MVP Russell Westbrook. According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bulls are close to signing Patrick Beverley after the defensive pitbull agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Orlando Magic.

Point guard depth

Although the organization has yet to make an announcement, all signs point to Lonzo Ball sitting out the rest of the season to continue recovering from knee surgery late last year. With the Bulls sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a dismal 26-33 record, the team thought it best to add more depth as they try to make a push for the NBA Playoffs with just 23 games remaining on their schedule.

❤️ yea @wojespn https://t.co/Lr4r4610Kz

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) February 20, 2023

It remains unclear whether the 11-year veteran would start or come off the bench. At the moment, the team’s starting point guard is sophomore Ayo Dosunmu, who has done an admirable job manning the position and orchestrating an offense that has two ball-dominant wingmen in DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

What’s clear, though, is that Beverley’s presence will energize a Bulls squad that, at times, has looked lethargic on defense. After all, the Arkansas product has made a career out of being a defensive agitator that is more than happy to pester the opposing team’s best players.

It came down to two teams

According to Beverley, the choice came down to the Bulls and the Golden State Warriors—the defending champions could have used Beverley’s ferocity as they try to make their way into the NBA Playoffs. It has been a disjointed season so far for the Warriors, with numerous injuries to superstar Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins derailing their title defense.

“It was between Golden State and the Bulls” - Patrick Beverley on his decision

(via @PatBevPod) pic.twitter.com/7lEslTZEyD

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 21, 2023

As it is, the Bulls may not have gotten their main target, but Beverley provides them with what they sorely lack, and for now, that will have to do.