It's official. Corey Brewer is a Maverick. He signed a three-year deal for approximately $7.4 million soon after clearing waivers Thursday and now adds a unique element to a Dallas roster that had not replaced much of what the injured Caron Butler had given them earlier this season.
Brewer, who turns 25 on Saturday, fills a void for the Mavericks as a long, tenacious wing defender. He could play a key role in playoff series against the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Spurs' Manu Ginobili or Thunder's Kevin Durant.
"He's different in terms of his body type than any guy that we have," Carlisle said. "He's a deceptively tall kid, has got long arms. I think probably his tenacity is as, or more, important than any of those other attributes."
After Butler was lost until at least the latter end of the NBA playoffs, the Mavs looked at trading for someone like Stephen Jackson, Tayshaun Prince or Gerald Wallace, but opted instead to surround the hole with role players. Peja Stojakovic was obtained and adds an offensive element. Rodrigue Beaubois is an explosive penetrator in a smaller package. Now, Brewer is primed to play the defensive role.
Brewer also adds some relative youth and a touch of upside to what was the oldest roster in the league. He turns 25 this week and adds to Beaubois, Dominique Jones and Ian Mahinmi among young talents on the roster.