The Chicago Bulls apparently will have a homecoming rather than a reunion.
Veteran guard and Chicago native Patrick Beverley is expected to sign with the Bulls for the rest of the season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday. The 34-year-old Marshall alumnus reached a buyout of his contract with the Orlando Magic after the Los Angeles Lakers traded him at the deadline.
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The Bulls had been considered a possible landing spot for nine-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook on the buyout market, but Wojnarowski reported earlier Monday that Westbrook plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Westbrook — who played for Bulls coach Billy Donovan with the Oklahoma City Thunder — also was traded by the Lakers at the deadline and reached a buyout with the Utah Jazz.
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The Beverley signing is expected to be official as soon as Tuesday, according to Wojnarowski, and the Bulls will have to make a waiver move to free roster space.
A three-time All-Defensive selection (one first team, two second teams) and the 2017 winner of the NBA Hustle Award, Beverley has averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals over 11 seasons with the Houston Rockets, Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lakers.
Drafted by the Lakers in 2009 in the second round out of Arkansas, Beverley spent his first three pro seasons playing overseas in Greece and Russia.
