The Corey Brewer Trade Block thread

[HartfordWhalers]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12044 ... rey-brewer

Houston and Cleveland remain the best positioned to make a deal because both teams possess an active trade exception large enough to absorb Brewer's $4.7 million salary. But sources say that the Wolves are seeking a future first-round pick in exchange for Brewer, something the Cavaliers are reluctant to surrender.

The Rockets, sources say, hope to sell Minnesota on going through with the swap in exchange for a 2015 second-rounder via New York that the Rockets possess. It's a pick with the potential to be attractive come June given the Knicks' ongoing struggles.

So... Twolves want a first.
Per Woj Houston will give a mid to high 2nd.

Any better offers than that? Does Houston offer more? Someone else? Twolves just take it?

[jbk1234]

This Cavs fan hopes that Minny takes the second. Ever since LBJ came back, this is like de ja vu all over again with the Cavs. Trading away first round picks for middling players is how we got in trouble last time.

[wolves_89]

I have to wonder if Flip is going repeat the same pattern until the trade deadline. Namely, make it known that Brewer is available and see what offers come in. When he doesn't get what he's looking for (a future 1st) he comes up with an excuse to pull Brewer off the market and waits a month before repeating the process. It makes sense in a way since I doubt the value for Brewer is going go down from a 2nd (and TPE or expiring), and with this approach he maximizes the chance that someone will give him a better offer (maybe someone will be more desperate a month down the road).

[moss_is_1]

We saw Flip drive a hard bargain with Love, and eventually got a package that nobody thought he could get. Hopefully he can do the same here.

Brewer would be a nice fit for either team. I think Cleveland would be a nicer fit for obvious reasons, but he shouldn't have a problem fitting in anywhere since he is always willing to do what is asked of him.

[pacers33granger]

Honestly I don't see why they don't just take that Knicks 2nd from Houston. It looks like it's going to be one of the first few picks in the 2nd round. If Cleveland gives a first it's not going to be the Memphis pick. It's going to be their 2015 pick, which is the lesser of theirs and the Bulls. I think there's a good chance at least one of those teams gets up to 1st or 2nd in the East. So that will be a late first, which usually has the same value as a high 2nd.

[HartfordWhalers]

Honestly I don't see why they don't just take that Knicks 2nd from Houston. It looks like it's going to be one of the first few picks in the 2nd round. If Cleveland gives a first it's not going to be the Memphis pick. It's going to be their 2015 pick, which is the lesser of theirs and the Bulls. I think there's a good chance at least one of those teams gets up to 1st or 2nd in the East. So that will be a late first, which usually has the same value as a high 2nd.

I've posted it elsewhere and feel lazy to find it, but there are a bunch of trades showing that a late first is worth more than an early 2nd.

[Domejandro]

Honestly I don't see why they don't just take that Knicks 2nd from Houston. It looks like it's going to be one of the first few picks in the 2nd round. If Cleveland gives a first it's not going to be the Memphis pick. It's going to be their 2015 pick, which is the lesser of theirs and the Bulls. I think there's a good chance at least one of those teams gets up to 1st or 2nd in the East. So that will be a late first, which usually has the same value as a high 2nd.

I've posted it elsewhere and feel lazy to find it, but there are a bunch of trades showing that a late first is worth more than an early 2nd.

It is because of the guarantee of having a player locked into a very cheap two year guarantee and two year unguaranteed contract. It eliminates the risk of getting K.J. McDaniel'ed.

Flip Saunders is doing the right thing in this situation. As a General Manager, his patience has been fantastic, and he is showing that he can be one of the best in the league at the President of Basketball Operations position. A lot of teams would simply sell Brewer, but you really can't go wrong with throwing teams off guard and keeping your cards ridiculously close to your chest. (Milt Newton is very good also for our team.) We have nothing to lose by trying to glean as much value as possible, as the Second Round pick offer will always be there.

Flip Saunders literally has the nickname (at least most people I know call him this) "Grandmaster Bull-Shitter". He is really second to none at lying, as he is absolutely shameless. Pekovic is literally still wearing a supportive cast around his wrist to fake the sprained wrist injury.

[pacers33granger]

Honestly I don't see why they don't just take that Knicks 2nd from Houston. It looks like it's going to be one of the first few picks in the 2nd round. If Cleveland gives a first it's not going to be the Memphis pick. It's going to be their 2015 pick, which is the lesser of theirs and the Bulls. I think there's a good chance at least one of those teams gets up to 1st or 2nd in the East. So that will be a late first, which usually has the same value as a high 2nd.

I've posted it elsewhere and feel lazy to find it, but there are a bunch of trades showing that a late first is worth more than an early 2nd.

I misspoke a bit. I meant to say close to the same value. I just think with this situation that Flip's trying to sell and is quibbling over pennies (unless the type of first he wants is a mid first). There's very little chance the Knicks finish outside the bottom 5, their situation isn't getting better. There's a very good chance that one of the Cavs/Bulls end up winning a lot of games and finish in the top 5. So you're very likely to be looking at a range of 6-8 picks in the middle of the draft where you can easily move up a couple spots for a minimal fee.

If Flip waits until the deadline to deal Brewer and say he does get the Cleveland first for him, the Wolves will have paid him a little over a million or so to still be on the team. Is the difference in the Knicks 2nd and Cleveland 1st a million? Probably close at worst. And I expect if he wants a first for Brewer, he'll have to wait until the deadline. A first for what would be a backup wing isn't usually the type of trade a contender makes this early in the season.

[wolves_89]

I misspoke a bit. I meant to say close to the same value. I just think with this situation that Flip's trying to sell and is quibbling over pennies (unless the type of first he wants is a mid first). There's very little chance the Knicks finish outside the bottom 5, their situation isn't getting better. There's a very good chance that one of the Cavs/Bulls end up winning a lot of games and finish in the top 5. So you're very likely to be looking at a range of 6-8 picks in the middle of the draft where you can easily move up a couple spots for a minimal fee.

Since the Memphis pick owned by the Cavs is protected and Cleveland has already traded their 2016 1st, they can't trade their own 2015 pick (which is the worse of the CLE/CHI picks and would probably be about the right value for Brewer). Consequently, any 1st from the Cavs would have to be the Memphis pick or a future 1st that couldn't be conveyed until 2 years after they send a pick to Boston (likely 2018). With that in mind (and knowing CLE has no real 2nd round picks to trade) any offer from the Cavs that includes a pick has a good chance of being quite a bit better than the Knicks 2nd.

[pacers33granger]

I misspoke a bit. I meant to say close to the same value. I just think with this situation that Flip's trying to sell and is quibbling over pennies (unless the type of first he wants is a mid first). There's very little chance the Knicks finish outside the bottom 5, their situation isn't getting better. There's a very good chance that one of the Cavs/Bulls end up winning a lot of games and finish in the top 5. So you're very likely to be looking at a range of 6-8 picks in the middle of the draft where you can easily move up a couple spots for a minimal fee.

Since the Memphis pick owned by the Cavs is protected and Cleveland has already traded their 2016 1st, they can't trade their own 2015 pick (which is the worse of the CLE/CHI picks and would probably be about the right value for Brewer). Consequently, any 1st from the Cavs would have to be the Memphis pick or a future 1st that couldn't be conveyed until 2 years after they send a pick to Boston (likely 2018). With that in mind (and knowing CLE has no real 2nd round picks to trade) any offer from the Cavs that includes a pick has a good chance of being quite a bit better than the Knicks 2nd.

Forgot that they had traded their 2016 first. So that makes this all moot really. There's no way they trade the Memphis first for Brewer. They've been dangling that for a starting caliber center, they won't use it on a backup wing when they could use one but aren't desperate for one.

[wolves_89]

Forgot that they had traded their 2016 first. So that makes this all moot really. There's no way they trade the Memphis first for Brewer. They've been dangling that for a starting caliber center, they won't use it on a backup wing when they could use one but aren't desperate for one.

That's why I'm curious as to why Cleveland keeps coming up as a destination for Brewer. Any trade for Brewer that used their TPE is going to require a late 1st or at least an early 2nd round pick, neither of which Cleveland has to offer.

[GopherIt!]

Brewer would likely start ahead of Marion.

[winter_mute_13]

Good for Flip. I also doubt Brewer can get back a future first, but it can't hurt to try.

[shrink]

Houston and Cleveland remain the best positioned to make a deal because both teams possess an active trade exception large enough to absorb Brewer's $4.7 million salary.

Doesn't this strike the rest of you as odd? I can't believe that MIN is searching for a TPE, so that those two teams are best positioned.

Let me break it down a bit. A TPE provides a few things that trading for a player does not

1. Lowered payroll this year or next to get under lux or cap -- no effect for MIN
2. A financial device to add a $4.7 mil player next season. -- little value. MIN is flooded with young, cheap talent, and are likely to let it develop. If they do want new players, they will likely add one through trade, by combining a couple vets this season. Moreover, even if they wanted to add players of $4.7 mil or less, they could trade, and they will also have the MLE. I like TPE's as trade mechanisms, but MIN doesn't seem to be able to take advantage of one well.
3. Save actual dollars -- well, i don't think any owner minds saving money, especially if many minutes are going to other players for development, so that's a positive. However, we just saw a rejuvenated Taylor pay $3.5 mil to remove Barea and keep GR3 - the billionaire seems to want to spend money to improve the team.

And that's the point here. I understand that people have slightly different views on Corey Brewer's worth, but most everyone agrees that he is at least an MLE-level player, and he is paid less at $4.7 mil. He is a bargain. If MIN swapped him for a TPE, they could not get as good a player back for $4.7 mil, and tossing in a second rounder wouldn't change that. A TPE means zero production for your team.

I personally think MIN should be just as likely to trade him for a 1-2 year player, rather than a TPE. First, it gives them a chance to add a stabilizing vet, which I think helps the youth grow more than the extra minutes. Next, MIN is in a position that they have room financially this year and next, which gives them a chance to add value to Brewer by taking on a year of salary. Even if their ultimate goal is a 1st, Brewer may only be barely able to do that - but Brewer and removing salary from a team that needs it seems like ample value to get a 1st round pick back for him. Teams used to buy late 1sts for $3 mil in cash .. removing $4-6 mil in 2015-16 salary is a far better return for a late 1st.

[shrink]

Forgot that they had traded their 2016 first. So that makes this all moot really. There's no way they trade the Memphis first for Brewer. They've been dangling that for a starting caliber center, they won't use it on a backup wing when they could use one but aren't desperate for one.

That's why I'm curious as to why Cleveland keeps coming up as a destination for Brewer. Any trade for Brewer that used their TPE is going to require a late 1st or at least an early 2nd round pick, neither of which Cleveland has to offer.

True, but I think you keep hearing it because Windhorst follows the Cavs, and with MIN offering, CLE is going to keep asking, because Brewer is such a good fit there, for on-and-off court reasons.

1. Anyone they bring in will take time to get up to speed, and that could cost them home court advantage in the playoffs. Brewer already has years of practice with Love, and they have the timing down for those outlet passes that are good for 1-2 automatic buckets each game.

2. Brewer is a vet who has demonstrated he will accept any role, and will always work hard. As a new player, he wouldn't bother team chemistry, he might even improved it slightly.

3. Keeping superstars happy is Job 1 for GM's these days. I doubt Love leaves when his contract is up, but adding his buddy can only help cement him further to CLE when his 1-2 year deal expires. I also think his work ethic would appeal to LeBron a bit as well, and he gives him a chance to rest a bit more.

These are all specific advantages Brewer brings to CLE over other players, even before we start talking about his game! I think we're going to continue to hear that CLE is asking, but you're right - like we've been saying for six weeks here, CLE needs to find an asset, because trading Brewer for a TPE and a second makes MIN worse.

[tidho]

Brewer would likely start ahead of Marion.

Would certainly think so, he's exactly what they need next to LeBron.
Marion in turn improves the Cavaliers bench significantly.

[mcfly1204]

Brewer would likely start ahead of Marion.

Would certainly think so, he's exactly what they need next to LeBron.
Marion in turn improves the Cavaliers bench significantly.

This is what we call an exaggeration. Brewer is a terrible shooter, which makes him a less than ideal fit next to James. Personally, I am only interested in Brewer if he can be had for a 2nd round pick.

[mg]

The Brewer I watched in first hand in Dallas was a very low BB IQ player..he has a rep as a good defender but he actually takes alot of risks on that end of the floor. Not sure he's worth a 1st round pick. If I were Flip I'd take the high 2nd and run if it's actually on the table from the Rockets.

[GopherIt!]

Watching one game doesn't give a good grasp of any player. He has good, medicore and bad days like most guys. No Wolves fan is saying he is a star. He is a piece of the puzzle.

Let's also not forget that drafts fluctuate in value and the 2015 draft isn't looking particularly bright right now. A mid first one year can be equivalent to a late first another year. It depends on the ncaa talent pool.

[mcfly1204]

Watching one game doesn't give a good grasp of any player. He has good, medicore and bad days like most players.

Fun fact: Corey Brewer played 13 games FOR Dallas in 2011.