Knicks Trade Ronnie Brewer To Thunder For Second-Round Pick, Agree With Martin
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Knicks traded shooting guard/small forward Ronnie Brewer to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a second-round pick and cash considerations just prior to the NBA Trade Deadline on Thursday.
That pick will be available to New York in the 2014 NBA Draft.
The first-round pick of the Utah Jazz in 2006, Brewer signed with the Knicks on July 25, 2012.
"Ronnie had fallen out of the playing rotation," general manager Glen Grunwald told reporters on a conference call. "He's a great guy and a good player."
The GM added that Brewer didn't demand to be traded.
The sixth-year player averaged 3.6 points, 0.9 assists and 2.2 rebounds in just 15.5 minutes per game in his lone season in Manhattan. He started in 34 of the 46 games he played in.
New York also agreed in principle to sign 12-year veteran Kenyon Martin to a 10-day contract. Grunwald said he hopes that the 35-year-old will stay on the roster through the remainder of the season.
Martin hasn't played one minute in the league this season. He last played in the NBA for the Clippers during the 2011-'12 campaign, averaging 5.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 22.4 minutes per game. The 2004 NBA All-Star didn't start in any of the 42 games he appeared in.
"We think that Kenyon is more than just a big man," Grunwald said. "He's a very versatile defender who can guard three positions."
Martin may not make his Knicks debut until next week, according to Grunwald, because Brewer has to pass his physical with the Thunder before New York's roster spot can officially become open.
Several reports over the last week indicated that the Knicks were looking to deal Iman Shumpert, who's known for his suffocating defense.
Grunwald dispelled the notion that he was even considering that on Thursday.
"There were no trade discussions with Shump," Grunwald said. "Shump's a key part of our future."
Happy with the moves, Knicks fans? Disappointed that general manager Glen Grunwald didn't do more to improve the team? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...
