The Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns are interested in trading for Houston Rockets small forward KJ Martin, according to NBA insider Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
Iko told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that Martin’s future with the Rockets is “tricky.” The son of Kenyon Martin has a non-guaranteed salary for next season.
“KJ’s situation is tricky,” Iko said. “When you look at Houston’s perspective, they have most of the leverage. They don’t have to be rushed into anything. If they picked up the fourth year, they can always do that and then extend him during the season. Their priority is their cap space this summer. If they decline it and he’s restricted, the onus is on the marketplace, and where can he get the money from? He’d prefer to get paid now, given the year he’s coming off.
“The future is unknown. Even with the new TV deal and the cap going up, and he could make more theoretically next year, you never know what could happen. If he wants to get paid now, can he find a sign-and-trade somewhere? There are a few teams that have kept interest in him, like Dallas, the Clippers, and Phoenix, that still like KJ Martin.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: KJ Martin, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers & Phoenix Suns Updates
Martin averaged 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Rockets in 2022-23 while shooting 56.9% from the field, 31.5% from beyond the arc and 68.0% from the free-throw line. The 22-year-old’s club option for next season is worth $1.9 million.
“I’ve always heard if they were going to move him, they value him as a guy that could bring back a first-round pick,” Scotto said. “Which you’ve got to factor into the equation.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: KJ Martin, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers & Phoenix Suns Updates
Martin has career averages of 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists with the Rockets, who have the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Houston won only 22 games this past season.
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