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Grunwald Says Knicks Have 'The Parts' To Contend For Title

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Knicks traded swingman Ronnie Brewer to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, opening up a roster spot that will be used to sign veteran forward Kenyon Martin.

Team president Glen Grunwald said Martin will be signed to a 10-day contract with the hopes that he could stay with the team for the remainder of the season.

He also hopes Martin can help the Knicks achieve their goal -- an NBA title.

"That's our goal. That's what this organization is trying to do, move toward an NBA championship," Grunwald said on a conference call Thursday. "Hopefully, we've made great progress on our goal. I think we have the parts to do so."

On Friday, Grunwald reiterated on WFAN's "Boomer & Carton" show that he believes the Knicks have what it takes to compete for the title.

Grunwald With B&C

Grunwald was "optimistic" coach Mike Woodson and his now-sputtering team would "find a way to get back to their winning ways, get back to playing winning basketball."

"We have a pretty deep team and hopefully now we'll be able to withstand the injuries that are naturally occurring," he said Thursday.

Grunwald said Martin will be insurance for injured big men Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby, a pair of 38-year-old backup forwards who have both been battling foot injuries.

"We've always liked Kenyon, he's a great competitor and good defender," Grunwald said, adding that Martin was already familiar with many Knicks. "We think that there will be some synergies already built into the mix and we're just looking forward to adding a good defender who can help us in our quest this season."

Martin played with Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith and Camby in Denver before spending last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5.2 points in 42 games. He also teamed with Jason Kidd in New Jersey on teams that reached the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.

But Martin, 35, has been injury prone in recent years. Still, he's a rugged and versatile defender whom Grunwald thinks can help.

"We watched a lot of the tape of his season last year with the Clippers and he played very well," Grunwald said. "We're hopeful that he's going to show that he's still got what it takes to be an NBA player."

Brewer was a starter earlier this season who lost his spot — and eventually his place in the rotation entirely — after a shooting slump. He was dealt for a 2014 second-round pick and cash.

Brewer was phased out once Iman Shumpert returned from knee surgery. Never much of a scorer, Brewer had played well during the Knicks' strong start, but never recovered once things started to go bad and Grunwald didn't really know why.

"I'm not really sure, but he obviously was not playing and we just tried to look at what our team needed to move forward," Grunwald said.

Grunwald said Brewer didn't demand a trade, and said the team didn't consider moving Shumpert, who has struggled since returning from his torn knee ligament and whose name was linked to various rumors.

"We had no trade discussions with Shump," said Grunwald. "Shump's a key part of the future. We're happy to have him back. He's had a great rehab. It's a difficult injury. He's not 100 percent yet. Obviously he's coming back from a difficult injury. But we're very optimistic, with his work ethic and attitude, he will be back to his old self very shortly."

Brewer appeared in 46 games, making 34 starts, and averaged 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds. Signed by New York last summer, he has also played for Utah, Chicago and Memphis.

Grunwald wasn't certain if Martin would be available when the Knicks face Philadelphia on Sunday, saying it may not be until next week.

Are the Knicks legitimate title contenders with this roster? Be heard in the comments...

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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