Lakers news: Four players on the bubble for final roster spots
By Jason Elbaum
Corey Brewer, Guard
As part of the trade that sent Lakers leading scorer Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets, the Lakers received veteran sharpshooter Corey Brewer. Brewer came into the league with high expectations after being drafted seventh overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2007.
Although Brewer has never lived up to his lofty expectations, he has solidified himself in the league as a player who consistently knocks down shots, plays tough defense, and is never shy about attacking the rim in transition. He played 24 games for the Lakers last season averaging 14.9 minutes per game.
The guard out of the University of Florida enters the 2017-2018 season with just one year left on his contract. He’ll be looking to play his way back onto the Lakers roster for next season with the impending free agent frenzy coming in the summer of 2018.
Unfortunately for Brewer, it will be difficult for him to find minutes in a crowded Lakers backcourt. New signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope looks like a strong candidate to be the starting shooting guard and play 30 minutes per game.
Rookie Josh Hart has become a favorite of the Lakers coaching staff because of his willingness to defend and big-game experience in college. Brewer looks like he’ll be locked in a position battle with Hart for backup shooting guard minutes, but that’s only if he’s given the chance to be an active player on the Lakers roster.