NBA Trade Deadline: Utah Jazz Trade Ronnie Brewer to Memphis Grizzlies

In a deal that has been rumored for nearly a month, the Utah Jazz agreed Thursday to trade swingman Ronnie Brewer to the Memphis Grizzlies for a protected first-round draft pick in 2011.

On his Twitter account , Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune posted comments by Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor regarding the trade.

"I think the biggest thing that we felt was that—I won’t call it a logjam—but that we had a lot of players very similar," O'Connor said. "We had three or four players that were competing for minutes and we were able to turn that into a future asset."

Brewer has played in all 53 of Utah's games this season, averaging 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.

Compared to his career average, Brewer has struggled with his shot this season. Brewer is shooting 49.5% from the field and 63.3% from the free throw line so far this season. For his career, he has shot 52.3% from the field and 70.6% from the line.

The move opens up minutes for C.J. Miles, Kyle Korver, and rookie Wesley Matthews, but the Jazz must sign another player to meet the NBA's 13-player roster minimum.

The Jazz also are relieved of Brewer's $2.7 million salary as they continue to try and fall beneath the luxury tax line.

For Memphis, the deal adds depth behind fellow swingmen O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting that the Brewer deal was prompted by a failed attempt to trade for Miami's Dorell Wright.