The Cleveland Cavaliers were rumored to be targeting Corey Brewer to help them address some of the areas the team is deficient. Brewer would fit easily into the trade exception the Cavs got in the Keith Bogans transactions. He plays solid perimeter defense and is a great fast break player, with experience playing with Kevin Love.
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However according to Flip Saunders, the grand poo-bah of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brewer is too valuable to be traded:
"Flip Saunders appeared to be backtracking on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ reported trade talks involving Corey Brewer.“He’s just too valuable to us to move,” Saunders said.Saunders said he understands why teams with championship hopes want Brewer."
The Timberwolves are going nowhere in the near future and have a bunch of young pieces that they need to give time to develop. Brewer is not a long term piece and could bring back some type of asset in a trade. It is possible that Saunders, who also coaches the team, wants veteran leadership for such a young squad.
However it is more likely Saunders, the president/GM, wants to leverage as much as he can for Brewer. The Rockets and Cavs are not likely the only contenders that could have interest in the wing player. “Taking him off the market” as too valuable to trade is telling other teams they will have to come strong to get him.
For the Cavs that means they won’t just be able to assume him into their Bogans exception and some long term pick. It likely means they would have to offer the Memphis Grizzlies pick. With the unique stipulation tied to it, that pick could have some good value over the next few seasons.It also could be used next year with Brendan Haywood‘s non-guaranteed contract to acquire a higher salary player.
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Since Brewer isn’t a perfect fit that answers the Cavs need for a rim protector, they are unlikely to give up such a valuable asset. Likely trading for Brewer will be revisited by the Cavs in the future, when the T-Wolves are more likely to lower their price, but for now he is likely off the market. The Cavs will continue to search for help using the Bogans exception while they wait out GM Saunders.
How much do you think the Cavs should give up for Corey Brewer?