Report: Flip Saunders says Corey Brewer is too valuable to trade

All the trade talk surrounding Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Corey Brewer may be for nothing. It wouldn't be the first time the rumor mill failed to churn out anything of substance.  

Brewer was rumored to be on the trade block earlier this week, and on Thursday morning ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Houston Rockets were the front-runners to land him. 

But a different story emerged from the Timberwolves' camp Thursday afternoon, when coach and team president Flip Saunders ostensibly quashed any trade talk, according to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press. 

Of course, Saunders may have his own motives for touting Brewer as indispensable, like trying to drive up his price or encourage a bidding war. 

Brewer may well end up staying put, but it's hard to believe he's untouchable. Rebuilding teams without much hope of competing in the short-term don't typically go to great lengths to protect eight-year veterans who come off the bench.