Boise Blazer
Thread Lightly
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2008
- Messages
- 7,265
- Likes
- 2,592
- Points
- 113
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...tions-for-minnesota-timberwolves-corey-brewer
Depth, depth, depth.
The Portland Trail Blazers don't have it. But they certainly need it.
Through the team's first 10 games, only five backups are playing at least 10 minutes per contest—Steve Blake (21.6), Chris Kaman (19.3), Allen Crabbe (14.8), C.J. McCollum (12.6) and Will Barton (10.9). Problem is, Kaman has been the only beneficial second-string player, as the rest have struggled immensely. And when the group is isolated to the wing players, it looks even worse.
Per Basketball-Reference.com, Crabbe has produced a player efficiency rating of just 10.0. McCollum has been slightly better with his 11.1 PER, but Barton has been borderline unplayable with a PER of just 2.5. Nonetheless, Rip City has to soldier on with him in the rotation due to a dearth of alternative options.
An upgrade is necessary.
McCollum should still receive plenty of minutes due to his immense upside and youthful nature, but Portland needs a consistent veteran like Brewer if it hopes to make the next step in a difficult Western Conference. Expecting all five starters to remain healthy throughout the year is foolish, especially given the burdens they endured in 2013-14 and surely will experience once more during the current campaign. And as a result, finding an insurance policy like Brewer is vital.
Is Brewer the perfect fit for this squad? Not particularly, as his gambling wouldn't work ideally within the confines of Terry Stotts' schemes. Plus, he's not a particularly great half-court player on offense, and the Blazers haven't been one of the league's faster teams thus far.
Nonetheless, he's a fit simply because he's a workable body who would help provide that much-needed depth on the wings.
What Portland Would Offer: Dorell Wright and a second-round pick

