Thunder’s Maynor headed to Portland

OKLAHOMA CITY - Thursday was the deadline for NBA teams to make trades before the playoff push begins this season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder sent one of their veteran back-ups to another team in the West and acquired a former Arkansas Razorbacks star who has spent a number years with several teams in the NBA.

The thunder sent back-up point guard Eric Maynor to the Portland Trailblazers for what’s called a trade exception.

Here’s what that means; Maynor was earning a little over $2 million with the Thunder this season.

So the Thunder now gets to set aside that $2 million to use in the next calendar year to sign another player they trade for.

In a tweet Maynor thanked OKC and said he appreciated the fans.

I want to thank the Oklahoma City Thunder for everything the last 3 years……appreciate all the love n support from the fans as well……—
Eric Maynor (@EMaynor3) February 21, 2013

Kevin Durant tweeted he will be sad to loose a teammate.

Got damn I hate seeing brothers leave the team! I wish @EMaynor3 the best, I'm gonna miss him and his family!!—
Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 21, 2013

The Thunder also picked up former Arkansas star Ronnie Brewer from the New York Knicks for a future second round draft choice.

Brewer has spent time with the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls.

The 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward has played less than five minutes in each of the last five games for the Knicks.