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Houston Rockets: Corey Brewer is the object of Daryl Morey’s affection

By Brian K. Patterson

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Corey Brewer #33 of the Houston Rockets reacts to a Los Angeles Lakers basket at Staples Center on October 26, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Corey Brewer #33 of the Houston Rockets reacts to a Los Angeles Lakers basket at Staples Center on October 26, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was not so discreet in taking a picture with former team member Corey Brewer on his Instagram page. What’s up?

The Houston Rockets have training camp on the horizon and there’s certainly a lot of talk that will be going on how this team will be able to compete against the best of the best come the start of the season next month.

The expectations of this team remain high and the immense amount of talent of this team is strong.  The Houston Rockets are stacked with veterans on this team and is now one of league’s oldest with a plethora of veterans over the age of 30.

That’s fine because it’s good to have guys who have been around the block for bit but what this team lacks is championship experience.  Trevor Ariza was one of the lone guys with a ring in his pocket but that was so long ago, one may question the value of such a notion of having a champion on one’s team.

But Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey may feel bringing another champion in to replace another is the prudent thing to do.

What am I getting at?

Morey brazenly posted a picture on his Instagram account with a familiar face who’s now a free agent.  Yes, I’m talking about Corey Brewer, who was a member of the Dallas Mavericks 2011 championship team some time ago.  Take a look at this pic and you be the judge:

What’s this all about?  Is Morey actually conjuring up a reunion with Brewer?  You remember how his first tour of duty ended — he went from being a reliable shooter playing tenacious defense to somebody who couldn’t hit the side of a barn and he found himself deep on the bench.

However, with the amount of depth that the team has currently, there could be a spot for Brewer

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in certain moments and possibly could be valuable asset off the bench.

That’s what’s going through my mind as far as the positives of signing him but the pessimistic side of me says that this sounds like a bad idea, a waste of money and could leave a sour taste in all of our mouths.

But here’s what I say to this notion — why the hell not?  I’m sure Brewer is ready to collect another check and the Houston Rockets would be more than willing to offer him the veteran’s minimum because of the incentives that it provides.

With Brewer going into his 12th season in the NBA, he’d make a minimum of $2.39 million but the Rockets would only be charged for $1.51 million, a provision in the collective bargaining agreement to avoid having teams wanting to sign younger, less-expensive players to fill their rosters.  The team can more than afford this and it may just happen.

Brewer was acquired in December 2014 after being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade that included the Philadelphia 76ers where they were also able to nab Alexey Shved — we all know how THAT turned out — along with Brew.

The Greyhound then signed a three-year, $23.4 million contract with the Rox the following season but was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers at the deadline of 2016-17 season for Lou Williams.

He was then bought out by the Lakers this past winter and signed a contract worth $539K with the Oklahoma City Thunder to finish out last season.

We’ll see what happens but a possible Brewer comeback is reality that we must face and he could flourish in Mike D’Antoni‘s successful system.

Brewer, 32, averaged 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists with a shooting line of .442/.282/.722 through 72 games with the Lakers and Thunder in 2017-18. 

Next. Predicting the Houston Rockets 2018-19 depth chart. dark

It’s important to note that Brewer’s shooting line with the Thunder was a much-better .444/.343/.795 as he logged 28.6 MPG through 18 games versus the 12.9 MPG — 54 games — he averaged with the Lakers.  So my best synopsis out of all of this is that he’s still got it but just needs more minutes to thrive.

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