NBA: Ronnie Brewer Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder

Dec. 9, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Ronnie Brewer (11) dunks the ball on a fast break against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 112-106. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City, OK – Former Arkansas Razorback forward Ronnie Brewer was traded from the New York Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday just as the NBA trade deadline was coming to a an end. The Knicks will receive a future second round draft pick in exchange for Brewer.

Brewer swaps from the Atlantic Division leading Knicks in the East with a record of 32-19 to the Thunder, the leaders in the Northwest Division in the NBA West. The move is meant to bolster the Thunder’s defensive presence for a playoff run in this year’s post season. If the playoffs were to start today the Thunder would be the No. 2 seed in the West pitted against the Utah Jazz, the No. 7 seed.

The Thunder lost in the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat last season. Brewer’s defensive abilities would give OKC another body to slow LeBron James should the two squads face off again in this year’s championship finale.

In 46 games with the Knicks, 34 as a starter, Brewer averaged 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds. Brewer came to the Knicks after spending the previous three seasons with the Chicago Bulls. Brewer began his career with the Utah Jazz after being selected 14th overall in the 2006 NBA Draft.