New NBA Trade Intel Emerges On KJ Martin, Rockets

Houston Rockets swingman Kenyon Martin Jr. is drawing trade interest, according to NBA insider Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

“Elsewhere, there has been interest in 22-year-old forward Kenyon Martin Jr., sources say, with his combination of age and upside still intriguing to rival NBA teams and deemed attainable internally for the right price,” Iko wrote.

Martin Jr. has a non-guaranteed salary for next season. If the Rockets decline Martin Jr.’s salary, he would become a restricted free agent this offseason. If Houston guarantees his salary, the son of former NBA star Kenyon Martin would be eligible for unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2024.

Martin Jr. averaged 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists 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 California native signed a four-year, $6.1 million contract with the Rockets in November 2020.

Martin Jr. has career averages of 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

“KJ’s situation is tricky,” Iko said on the HoopsHype podcast with Michael Scotto. “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,” Iko explained.