Former LA Clippers’ guard Patrick Beverley reminds Clippers billionaire owner of ‘92 basketball court’ debt owed
Patrick Beverley recalls Clippers owner Steve Ballmer’s promise to build 94 basketball courts after he turned down a bigger offer outside.
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Patrick Beverley claim he is owed by Clippers owner, Steve Ballmer
Controversial former NBA player Patrick Beverley chose loyalty over money when he re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2019-20 season. He turned down a $50 million offer from the Sacramento Kings. Beverley was eager to remain in LA after his first full season with the Clippers. His initial season suffered an injury-shortened year after his trade from Houston.
As a show of gratitude for his loyalty, Clippers billionaire owner Steve Ballmer allegedly promised to build 94 basketball courts around Los Angeles when Beverley decided to stay. During a recent episode of his podcast, Patrick Beverley spoke openly about the promise Ballmer made and questioned the whereabouts of the additional courts.
So I signed my deal with the Clippers, right? I got like a three-year, $50 million [offer] from Sacramento. I’m like ‘Nah, I’m cool,’ like I want to stay Clippers. So I take the three-year, $40 million from the Clippers… and Steve Ballmer goes, ‘With that, I’m gonna give you 94 basketball courts that you can choose to put all around LA.’
Patrick Beverley said on the Pat Bev Podcast
Pat Bev says Steve Ballmer promised him 92 basketball courts after he turned down a 3-year, $50M offer from the Kings to return to the Clippers for $10M less
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 6, 2024
Pat Bev is still waiting for the courts ?
(? @PatBevPod )
pic.twitter.com/zMhY364HYG
Ballmer was initially true to his word, as he funded the construction of two courts. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic stopped these plans. As such, the progress stalled and left the remaining 92 courts unbuilt. So far, Steve Ballmer has yet to comment on the situation about the progress or what lies ahead.
During the 2018-19 season with the Clippers, Beverley had a strong showing. He averaged 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists and even earned a top-10 finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting. In that same free agency period, the Kings were spending significantly. Despite their lucrative offer, Pat Bev remained steadfast in his loyalty to the Clippers.
Patrick Beverley weighs NBA return after overseas success
Patrick Beverley had shocked the NBA world when he announced he was moving overseas. Now he is currently in his first season with Hapoel Tel Aviv BC in the Israeli Premier League. The ex-NBA star recently shared that he’s garnered interest from the NBA and EuroLeague teams. He made this known when he spoke on the Pat Bev Pod.
People are asking me, ‘Ayo Pat, what you going to do?’ Because you know, some NBA teams called. They told me I can’t say who. EuroLeague teams called, Real Madrid called, couple other EuroLeague teams out there to see like, are you guys blowing it up?
Patrick Beverley on the Pat Bev Podcast
PB has a lot to think about and decisions to make ? @patbev21 pic.twitter.com/J3yUrUyfmv
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) November 6, 2024
As revealed, Beverley’s initial motivation to play overseas was to team up with former Los Angeles Clippers teammate Johnathan Motley, who was with Hapoel Tel Aviv BC. However, after Motley’s departure to Crvena Zvezda of the Serbian SuperLiga, Beverley began questioning his future with the team.
It would be surprising if he left, considering that he might not get the same LeBron James treatment he is currently getting if he were to return home. However, he signed with Hapoel for the 2024-25 season in a deal potentially worth $2 million, with a $1 million bonus if the team wins the EuroCup and qualifies for EuroLeague. Only time will tell where Pat Bev goes next.
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Ubong Archibong
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