After falling out of the rotation in recent weeks, veteran swingman Corey Brewer and the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly nearing a buyout agreement, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Veteran swingman Corey Brewer is in advanced negotiations toward securing a buyout from the Lakers to become a free agent, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 28, 2018
A buyout must be completed with the Lakers by Thursday — March 1 — to make Corey Brewer playoff-eligible this season with another team
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 28, 2018
Brewer has seen time sporadically throughout the season, playing in 54 games on the year but averaging just 12.9 minutes per contest. In that time, he’s averaged 3.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.8 steals.
In a system more emphasizing shooting and spacing, Brewer was always a square peg in a round hole. A career 28 percent three-point shooter, Brewer has shot a staggeringly low 19.4 percent from three on 67 attempts as a Laker.
Brewer’s tenure in Los Angeles came about via trade, one of the first moves the new front office regime executed. The Lakers sent scorer Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets for Corey Brewer and a first-round pick, which, after another trade on draft day, turned into Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant.
While his tenure in L.A. has been short, Brewer has long been regarded as a positive locker room presence. However, with his contract already set to expire this off-season and with the Lakers out of playoff contention, allowing Brewer to potentially join a playoff team is a win-win move.
For the Lakers, releasing Brewer would result in two open roster spots. While the team has seen a recent run of success largely without Brewer in the lineup, the potential to add more shooting or playmaking on the wing could lead to a new signing in the near future.
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