When the Minnesota Timberwolves initially agreed to terms with shooting guard Kevin Martin last week, they were still left looking for a versatile, defensive-minded swingman that could help them make up for the loss of the departed Andrei Kirilenko.

They were all set to introduce Martin, a free-agent signing from Oklahoma City, until the door opened at the last minute for them to address the need for perimeter defense and energy.

T-wolves president Flip Saunders turned one free-agent signing into a sign-and-trade deal that is helping them bring Corey Brewer back to Minnesota.

The Timberwolves will send guard Luke Ridnour to Milwaukee as part of a three-team deal with Oklahoma City, getting a trade exception worth about $7 million, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said on Wednesday night.

The person requested anonymity because the deal has not been officially announced. Martin's deal, a four-year contract worth nearly $30 million, remains the same as the one he agreed to last week and Brewer will get a three-year deal worth $15 million.

The Timberwolves had to send out Ridnour and his expiring contract, worth $4.3 million, to make room for Brewer.

Associated Press

(China Daily 07/12/2013 page23)