Patrick Beverley's recent comments show he was destined to leave the Bucks

He was far from perfect, but there's no denying that Patrick Beverley was an impactful addition to the Milwaukee Bucks following the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline.

The veteran guard became so important under Doc Rivers as the year progressed that he ended up starting in the playoffs. Once the season concluded, it seemed likely that the team would aim to bring the guard back for another go-round, especially considering that they gave up draft capital to acquire him at the deadline. However, that's not what transpired.

In a surprising move, not only did Beverley leave Milwaukee, but he left the NBA as a whole, opting to sign with Hapoel Tel Aviv BC in the Israeli Premier League.

Beverley shed some light on the decision to depart on his podcast, the Pat Bev Pod, saying that he didn't "want to stand in the corner." He specifically referenced how his roles changed with the Bucks in the NBA Playoffs, going from a big role and a double-double in Game 5 to not touching the ball much in Game 6 because the team was healthier.

Patrick Beverley was seemingly destined to leave the Bucks

If not standing in the corner is an objective, it makes sense why Beverley would head over to play in a league where he will be one of the best players right away. He'll have the ball in his hands much more compared to when he's on a team alongside players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton. He was brought to Milwaukee for defense and shooting, not necessarily much else.

At 36, many thought that the guard would spend his final years chasing for an ever-elusive NBA Championship, and while he could still come back to the league down the line, that is not the case right now. It'll be interesting to see how the guard performs overseas with the ball in his hands more than it would be in the association.

With Beverley officially gone, Delon Wright immediately steps in as Milwaukee's veteran combo guard who can provide strong perimeter defense. Many would argue that he's an upgrade.

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