Ronnie Brewer joins the New York Knicks – NBA News
The New York Knicks have agreed to a deal with former Chicago Bulls swingman Ronnie Brewer, his agent Henry Thomas has announced. The details of the agreement were not revealed by Thomas but other sources have reported that it
is a one year contract for the veteran’s minimum of $1.4 million.
The Knicks could only offer the veteran’s minimum, after spending much of their available cap space signing players in this year’s free agency.
"He will be a great fit. He is a tremendous wing defender and offensively he simply knows how to play - moving without the ball, slashing to the basket. His outside shooting has improved and will continue to, and he is an excellent
passer and underrated ball handler,” said Thomas while talking to ESPNNewYork.com.
Brewer played for the Chicago Bulls for the last two seasons and was an integral part of the valued bench roster of the team. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while averaging 24.8 minutes of playing
time last season.
Brewer was interested in joining the Knicks because he saw the opportunity to be part of another playoff team, along with the probability of starting the game for them. The signing of Brewer could mean that J.R. Smith would continue
with the 6th man role that he was given last season by the Knicks.
The former Bulls swingman is an efficient scorer and also a great defender, with tremendous lock down abilities. It was for his defensive skills that the Knicks grew interested in him, especially when their best defender and shooting
guard Iman Shumpert is expected to be out for almost half of next season with an ACL injury.
Brewer comes in as after the Knicks parted ways with Landry Fields, upon whom Brewer is being considered as an upgrade. The Toronto Raptors gave Fields a three year offer worth $20 million in free agency this year and though the
Knicks had the right to match it, they decided not to.
If Brewer is a replacement for Fields, the Knicks found him much cheaper than what Fields went for. With him in the lineup, the Knicks have bolstered an already strong back court and bench for the upcoming season, and will look
to improve upon their performance from last season.
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