TUESDAY, 9:48pm: The two sides are expected to reach an agreement on a buyout prior to the midnight deadline this evening, Stein tweets.
SATURDAY, 2:10pm: The Spurs are emerging as the favorite to sign Martin if a buyout deal is reached, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
FRIDAY, 3:47pm: The Rockets would also be interested if Martin shakes free from Minnesota, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (Twitter link).
9:56pm: The Mavericks are interested in Martin if a buyout is arranged, but the shooting guard is more likely to sign with a contender, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com relays (ESPN NOW link). The ESPN scribe’s source also relayed that the Cavs, Hawks, Heat and Thunder are all potential suitors for the shooting guard depending on where Joe Johnson lands.
THURSDAY, 9:22pm: The Timberwolves and Kevin Martin are engaged in advanced discussions regarding a potential buyout arrangement, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link). Minnesota reached a buyout arrangement with veteran point guard Andre Miller earlier today and it would appear that Martin is the next veteran the team will set free so that he may catch on with a playoff-bound club.
Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune relayed earlier today that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor would be open to discussing a buyout with the veteran shooting guard, but Martin’s side would have to initiate such talks. Martin is earning $7.085MM this season with a $7,377,500 player option for next year. To be playoff eligible for another team Martin would need to hit waivers no later than Tuesday.
It was widely reported that Martin was available for a trade before last week’s deadline, but potential suitors were apparently reluctant to take him on without knowing what he’d do about his player option for 2016/17. GM Milt Newton said after the deadline passed without a Martin trade that a buyout discussion would probably take place between Martin and the team in the near future, which has apparently come to pass. Several teams were linked to Martin before the deadline, as Hoops Rumors’ Chuck Myron noted in his trade candidate piece, including the Bucks, who reportedly made a run at him as the deadline neared.
The 33-year-old has appeared in 39 games for Minnesota this season, including 12 starts. Martin is averaging 10.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.4 minutes of action per appearance. His career numbers through 698 games are 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists to go along with a shooting line of .438/.385/.870.
Error on 12 reb
Pardon?
Fixed. It said 12.1 reb this year
The Mavericks need to sign Martin when his contract gets bought out. They want him so bad they have been chasing him for years. Once Martin is signed go after Joe Johnson. Waive Raymond Felton and Charlie V. This will be the Mavericks bench this season:
JJ Barea
Devin Harris
Kevin Martin
Joe Johnson
David Lee
Javale Mcgee
Salah Mejri
Solid bench
Wouldn’t recommend the 4 guards who are all decent on that bench though. Definitely an upgrade, but someone isn’t gonna be happy with lack of playing time.
Charlie V hasn’t go much playing time and Ray Ray hasn’t got much to so waive both of them and sign Johnson and Martin piece of cake
Joe Johnson to Cavs.
Kevin Martin to Cavs.
The Spurs could use the extra shooter, with Manu still out. Makes sense
Oh Kevin Martin the Mavericks want you sir