Corey Brewer to Rockets: Latest Trade Details, Analysis and Reaction

The Minnesota Timberwolves' wing is a little less crowded after Friday, as they've agreed to trade swingman Corey Brewer to the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets confirmed the deal and revealed details of the trade:

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports first reported the deal and passes along more trade details:

Brewer, 28, is averaging 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game on 41.8 percent shooting. One of Minnesota's first players off the bench in most contests, a Brewer trade nonetheless became inevitable.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported Nov. 16 that the Wolves had engaged in conversations with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rockets, both in dire need of a wing defender. Houston and Cleveland are both over the salary cap but had trade exceptions large enough to fit Brewer's $4.7 million salary for 2014-15. Brewer also has a player option for $4.9 million for next season, which he seems likely to decline given the rising salaries for wing players across the league.

The former Florida star isn't a superstar by any stretch, but he's a smart player who knows what he is at this point in his career. Most of Brewer's best shots come in transition and semi-transition, where he's an expert at using the open floor to get to the rim. A subpar shooter from beyond the arc in his career, Brewer has almost abandoned the three-point shot entirely this season.

Minnesota's willingness to move him despite a fine start is an indicator head coach and team president Flip Saunders has come around to a full-scale rebuild. The Wolves' trade of Kevin Love to Cleveland this offseason started the project, but it seemed like Saunders was taking half-measures by signing veterans in free agency and trading for Thaddeus Young.

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

But a 5-19 start leaves the Timberwolves with little excuse not to see what they have in their young talent. No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins has been a starter since opening night, and Zach LaVine has taken over for the injured Ricky Rubio, but the team's wing depth has caused inconsistency in minute totals.

Second-year player Shabazz Muhammad hasn't received much time despite playing well in limited minutes, and Minnesota may want to showcase Chase Budinger for a future trade.

Getting Brewer is about the best Houston could hope to do given its salary situation. Brewer is by no means a lockdown defender, but he's a high-energy guy who consistently fights his way to a couple turnovers per game.

Offensively, he is more of a noticeable minus, where his penchant for leaking out for transition buckets can sometimes lead to some questionable decision-making. That, of course, is also an issue defensively when the opposing team gets the offensive board.

That said, wings who are above average on both ends are a prized commodity. Few teams have them, and the ones that do aren't willing to give them up without considerable compensation. Getting someone like Brewer for relative pittance is a win even if it's not a 100 percent ideal fit.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.