It’s a bittersweet feeling here at the Target Center.
To say that nobody saw a move like this coming, would be a lie, but that doesn't necessarily make it any easier.
As you've probably heard by now, the Wolves shipped off guard Corey Brewer and center Ronny Turiaf for Troy Daniels and two second-round picks.
Let’s start with the Wolves. Unfortunately for them, they are not only losing a very important player in Brewer, but also a very special individual. Brewer has done everything the Wolves have asked of him in his second stint here, including playing backup point guard. For a team that has gone through so much change over the last 15 months, he’s been one of the few players the Wolves have been able to depend on. That’s a pretty priceless thing.
Media members, fans, players and coaches know something else about Brewer. He’s one of the best guys around. If you needed a quote, Brewer was there. If you needed a laugh, Brewer was there. He’s been pretty great on and off the court for the Wolves over the course of the last season and some change. I probably speak for all Wolves fans in wishing Brew the best of luck in Houston. This is a guy who deserves to be on a championship contender.
It’s probably not a coincidence that he ended up with the same team he dropped 51 points on last season.
This is a guy who will be missed on the court and in the locker room. He’s been nothing but a professional during his time in Minnesota. Brewer spent his first three and a half years in Minnesota, along with the last year and a half. In six seasons with the Wolves, Brewer averaged 9.9 points per game to go with 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals. He ranks second in team history with 502 career steals.
He’ll be going to the head coach (Kevin McHale) who was the one who first drafted Brewer with the seventh pick for the Wolves back in 2007.
Brew’s always said how much he’s loved Minnesota and you could tell it was a place he had no problem calling home. It’s probably not the easiest thing for him either.
Turiaf has been a little different for Minnesota. While he’s been just as great of a teammate and is known for his positive attitude, he hasn't been able to stay on the court. In one-plus seasons with the Wolves, Turiaf has played in just 33 games. He’s averaged 4.5 points and 5.3 rebounds (most for any team he’s played for) per game.
The team announced earlier this week that Turiaf would miss the rest of the 2014-15 season after having surgery on his right hip on Tuesday.
With the Wolves just getting Daniels (23 years old) in return, it looks like there will be a roster opening after Jeff Adrian’s contract (Hardship Exception) expires.
This is Daniels' second year in the league, having played in 22 games throughout his career. In those 22 games, he’s averaged four points per game. The former VCU star was picked up by the Rockets as an undrafted free-agent last March. Fans might remember him from his four-game stretch in the playoffs against the Trail Blazers last season when he averaged 7.8 points per game while shooting 53.3 percent from three three-point line. With the Wolves short on guards and three-point shooters right now, Daniels should be able to fill that void.
It will be interesting to see if any moves are on the horizon for the team in the near future.
What we do know, though, is that the Wolves will be learning on the run with the loss of two veterans. Indeed it is Eyes On The Rise.