Do Brewer and OPech get Picked Up for 2010?

[shrink]

By October 31st, decisions on whether to pick up the 2010-11 options on Corey Brewer ($3,703,472) and OPech ($2,380,270) will have to be made. Obviously, picking up those options would cost us 2010 raw cap space, but I'd sign Brewer, and consider OPec, but probably say "no."

Brewer looked really good last night as an energy slasher, with a gorgeous sweeping bucket in the fourth. People forget that he was starting to get it at the beginning of the second season before he got injured. Rambis has said that he likes Brewer, but needs to fix an ugly hitch in his shot that makes everything come off unbalanced. If they can fix that, he may see a lot of success very soon as a shooter. In the meantime, he helps out in other areas, with his physical ability.

I would consider OPec as well, but its a tough call. I don't think he's part of our future with Pekovic perhaps coming over next season, and Hollins signed for multiple season. However, if he could show that he's worth more than an expiring while Love is out, he could boost his trade value enough to be a positive trade asset. I am concerned that this won't happen, and that the market for teams who will accept 2010-11 salary may shrink if the 2010 salary cap and lux look to decline a great deal. Missing out on that $2.38 mil in raw cap space could be painful .. it may be the money we need to make a max deal.

Your thoughts?

[Esohny]

Brewer yes, if he continues to play defense without being an offensive liability, but I really don't want Pech, and I doubt they pick up his option (short of him turning into Dirk or something crazy).

[karch34]

Brewer yes. I've kind of been in the anti-Brewer camp for a long time. I think he still needs work in a number of areas, but I think last night showed that at least he finally gets it. I saw composure and high basketball IQ. Two things I never really saw before. Granted it's a pre-season game, but it's still NBA competition and showed me that he might actually be able to tap into his potential.

For Pech, I don't think so. He looked good last night, but that money might be more than we want for someone who'd be our 4th or 5th front court player with everyone healthy. Plus Peko and draft picks as well.

[Biff Cooper]

I think I agree with the previous posters. Pickup Brewer and let Opech become a free agent at the end of the year. If Brewer can play the season with the same confidence he played with last night, he will easily be worth his option. It sucks to eat into 2010 cap space though. If we don't make a trade at the deadline to lose our cap space, it seems like we are going to have to decide between Pekovic or a medium priced free agent, but not both.

[deeney0]

Shoot them all and let God sort them out.

[Winter Wonder]

Believe Brewer will be short of another injury set-back.

OPech has the skill set and height to be a high post player that the FO seems to want with Jefferson in the block (someone to fill the role they want from Love when he sits). I don't anticipate them doing so, but they could pick it up if OPech has a solid season. He is a long, outside shooting 4, so it is possible, though I am guessing they will not and find what else may be better for the money and then maybe resign him after most of their FA and cap space plans are accomplished and pick him up at a lesser salary maybe.

[john2jer]

Based on the pre-season, I say pick up Brewer and cut OPec now.

The problem with the options is they have to be picked up by next Saturday. They don't get to wait until the end of the season to see how they play.

[Steve_Holiday]

Considering the free agency period next summer is one of the team's best chances at making a major move towards becoming a contender, I don't see why commiting nearly $4M in cap space to a player who has proven nothing makes any sense. Why limit the team's potential future moves by signing a player who has the ceiling of being a complimentary player?

[Winter Wonder]

Based on the pre-season, I say pick up Brewer and cut OPec now.

The problem with the options is they have to be picked up by next Saturday. They don't get to wait until the end of the season to see how they play.

Didn't think about when the options could be picked up. If that is the case, then you pick up Brewers and don't pick up OPech's, but I wouldn't say cut him by any stretch. He is a decent enough back up big that can spread the floor (looked much better vs. Detroit, even given with how short they are) that we can audition this year. I don't think he would cost much to resign short of him getting a big contract overseas.

[john2jer]

I'm currently in full hate mode on OPec and am pretending last night didn't exist. Please take your logic and rational thinking overseas with him. Thank you.

[jade_hippo]

i really think brewer may have earned his extension with the Piston game alone. Stewie i still think we decline his option and try to bring him back cheaper in free agency.

[Steve_Holiday]

i really think brewer may have earned his extension with the Piston game alone.

preseason. we talkin bout preseason!

the wolves will likely clear enough cap space to bring in a top-tier FA next summer (not saying we will actually lure any). locking in brewer for $4M is no steal. why blow it now without knowing what options will be out there?

[revprodeji]

Because Brewer is finally getting a chance to play with a real pg/coach and he looks good. He has the potential to be a longterm scorer in the stacy Augmon role for us. Of course you keep him.

[Breakdown777]

Based on the pre-season, I say pick up Brewer and cut OPec now.

The problem with the options is they have to be picked up by next Saturday. They don't get to wait until the end of the season to see how they play.

Isn't that kind of the point? I'm sure the players union doesn't want young talent getting injured and then not getting another deal (like the Leon Powe situation). I know they are making millions, but I still sort of feel bad for a kid who has put so much energy and dedication into playing basketball, then end up working at Wendy's two years later. I'm fine with the option the way it is. Players gotsta get paid.


Didn't Corey only play like 15 games last year? He was coming into his own (under Whittman, which is saying something) before the injury. This board has no patience for young guys. Talent doesn't always develop in one season (especially under the Twittman).

Should we just start drafting 4 year guys exclusively, then when we have old semi-okay players with no holes and no potential, will you be happy?

Pick up Brewer, No on the O-Pech-erhead.

[casey]

Brewer is questionable. I can't find any reason to even consider picking up that other guy's option.

[jade_hippo]

i think Stewie will be a classic late blooming euro. dude has skills and can put them to use. you don't see him having many of the awkward moments that Tskitishvili had with us. Most of his mistakes are experience based things he'll pick up, not errors because he doesn't really belong out there.

[GopherIt!]

if at half time of the next game, Stewie goes out onto the court and sings "Rocketman" he will get my vote to pick up his option.

[shrink]

If he's not part of the future, we should trade him and try to get some value. especially after some decent stats this pre-season.

What teams could use him?

[jade_hippo]

7ft big man who can hit 3's and isn't softer than white bread and looks like he lives to murder hot redheaded women... i can think of 30 teams who need that.

[Worm Guts]

We need the frontcourt depth right now, and I don't think anything we could get for him would make it a worthwhile trade. What would we even want or expect in return?