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NBA Free Agency: Corey Brewer leads the race to return to OKC Thunder

By Gideon Lim

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 1: Russell Westbrook #0 and Corey Brewer #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shake hands before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 1, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 1: Russell Westbrook #0 and Corey Brewer #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shake hands before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 1, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA Free Agency
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 23: Corey Brewer #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball before the game. Against the Utah Jazz in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018  NBA Free Agency. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Corey Brewer

  • Height: 6’9″ (206cm)
  • Position: SG
  • Age: 32
  • Years of experience in the NBA: 15
  • College: University of Florida
  • 2017-2018 salary: $7.6 million, before being bought out by the Lakers, and later signed a pro-rated minimum contract in OKC.

Corey Brewer is one of the best in the league in leaking out, and being an option once his teammates force a turnover. In small doses, he can even channel his hazardous dribbling style towards leading the charge himself, as seen below.

It may not seem like much, but there’s a reason Brewer inserted himself into the lineup as soon as he arrived in OKC. For some reason, despite their athleticism, Josh Huestis and Terrance Ferguson have never embraced being a transition outlet the way Andre Roberson has. This aspect of Brewer’s game is a delectable fit with OKC’s penchant for forcing turnovers. It’s cheap offense, but with OKC, easy buckets are a necessity.

Brewer’s transition game is vital also because the other aspects of his game are somewhat lacking. His shooting is meh, and as we pointed out amidst the initial hype, Brewer gets confused on defense way too easily to survive the playoffs.

Verdict:

Brewer’s biggest selling point is his ability to alleviate Westbrook’s workload. There’s also a case for optimism on defense. With more time on the team, as well as the roving Nerlens Noel behind, Brewer is a safe bet to improve on his solid maiden campaign with OKC.

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