Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. recently spoke to team management about the possibility of a trade, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Iko describes the conversation as a “candid” one and stresses that there’s no bad blood between Martin and the team. However, with Martin’s place in Houston’s long-term plans uncertain, he may prefer to be sent to a club that can give him a clearer path to rotation minutes.
A second-round pick in 2020, Martin has appeared in 124 games across two seasons with the Rockets, averaging 9.0 PPG and 4.3 RPG on .524/.360/.667 shooting in 22.0 minutes per contest.
Sources tell Iko that a number of teams – including some playoff contenders – have expressed interest in Martin in the past. He’s still just 21 years old, and his athleticism and possible untapped potential make him an intriguing target for potential suitors, Iko adds.
Here’s more on the Rockets:
- All signs continue to point to Paolo Banchero being the most likely pick for the Rockets at No. 3, per Iko. While Houston has received some inquiries on that pick, any talks have been exploratory at best, and the Rockets aren’t looking to trade down from No. 3, sources tell The Athletic.
- The Rockets’ other two first-round picks (No. 17 and No. 26) are viewed as more available, with No. 17 in particular drawing interest from some teams that don’t have a first-rounder, Iko writes. While either pick – or both – could be traded, Iko isn’t necessarily counting on anything happening until draft night, as teams see how the draft plays out and get a better idea of which players will still be on the board at those spots.
- Kevin Porter Jr. and Jae’Sean Tate will be eligible for extensions this offseason, and representatives for both players have already been in touch with the Rockets to inquire about beginning those discussions, according to Iko. The deadline for Porter’s rookie scale extension is the last day of the 2022 offseason, whereas Tate could sign a veteran extension during the 2022/23 season. Houston would like to retain both players beyond their current contracts, says Iko.
- Although Dennis Schröder is well-liked in Houston, he’s expected to end up with a new team for 2022/23, sources tell Iko. Schröder is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
- Lionel Hollins is among the veteran coaches who has emerged as a candidate to join Stephen Silas‘ staff as an assistant, Iko reports.
KJ Martin is a solid player with a lot of upside. I understand the possibility that he’ll lose mins if They draft Banchero(unlikely ORL or OKC pass on Bari & Chet). But it’s not like hes ready to be a starter and he should get strong play time off the bench next year as he did this year. Not sure of his thinking here, he’ll be in the same situation on most other teams.
He’s sick of losing. Anybody with any talent will get the heck out of Houston as fast as possible.
That’s what happens in a rebuild lol. Young players should want to play for building teams. He’s not good enough to start(yet) so he’ll move to be buried in a rotation on another team.
Could be worse he could play for OKC and get benched post all star game to push the tank for a top pick as they love to do.
Except that isn’t what he is complaining about.
He’s complaining about mins. Which lets be honest. He won’t get more elsewhere.
Which Rockets great would you rather have on your team if you could have them for their entire career, Vernon Maxwell, Kevin Porter Jr, Luis Scola, Robert Reid or Chandler Parsons?
Maxxxxxxxx
Aye I got my 1st answer & it only took 3 tries lol. Max was never 1 of my favs but I respect the choice
I was wondering about KJ Marton as well, with all their young players and picks, and the fact that I felt that he should have played a lot more. I personally would have just used him more, but Houston did a few things that were confusing with their rotations last year/who they didnt want to let play and help their young guys
I agree, he’s a better player RN than Tate and has a higher upside. I wasn’t sure why he wasn’t starting last year, especially after Wood got benched. But his link up with Sengun in the 2nd unit may have been why beforehand, they had great chemistry.
Better rn than Tate? Negative
He’s better, simple. I love Tate, fan fave and all that but Martin is a better player, can shoot from deep for one point. Better around the rim, and less selfish on the ball. Tats is a better defender, that is all and it’s not by much.
And yet, the Rockets are looking to extend Tate, the starter, and possibly move Martin, who didn’t rotation minutes on the rebuilding/worst team in the NBA.
And… if you asked every GM in the League who they’d rather have RN to try and win, every GM in the league – – – would take TATE.
So to say that Martin is CLEARLY better than Tate doesn’t jive with reality for the 22/23 season.
Call a spade a spade. Tates numbers weren’t great, he actually had lower numbers than his rookie year. He’s nearly 27 2nd most fouls in the league last year on arguably the worst defence in the league. Can’t shoot, like at all.
His numbers were better than Martin, no argument. On paper he looked ever so slightly better, but watching game after game MY OPINION is Martin is a better player. But contenders won’t look twice at an undersized 4 who loves fowl trouble and can’t shoot.
Silas is high on him because he has a great attitude, “junkyard Dog”. As I said I love the guy. But maybe just me but a 21 year old posting similar numbers with less mins and much higher up side should be chosen over him.
I truly love the kid. Wish could be utilized here. I really do not know where this team is going. I know rebuilding takes time but I still wonder when will be set. If a little at least before 2025.
But if Martin Jr. goes hopefully something in return good out there and hope Kenyon goes somewhere his talents can be used.
Let me get this straight, he isn’t getting enough quality minutes with the Rockets, so he wants to go to another team? Haha
If you aren’t getting enough minutes on the worst team in the league, where are you going yo find more?
that’s what J Wall wants answered….maybe he’s tired of playing for a team trying to lose
I dont see it at all, I watch him play and all I can think is this athlete has no idea how to play the game. Sure he can dunk, but what else?
How much influence on KJ is coming from his father. Stay with rockets and go nowhere for 3 years or more. He could be in his late 20’s before maybe Rockets win in playoffs. Whether a ring in a fair time with Rockets. I do not think from things seeing Porter Jr. looks to be a future asset for Houston. I would hate to see either player gone but hate to see them not used greatly here. I see talk on Claxton or such from the Nets and maybe keeping the one they got from Dallas as well with Burke, and Brown and Chriss not keeping. Whether Rockets trade picks after the third pick. But these next few weeks will be interesting
Paolo makes sense also for on the court fit.
He’s a ball handler and facilitator and for a point KPJ doesn’t recalls do much of that he’s more of a score first guy and Jalen Green at SG also doesn’t facilitate for others really.
They need someone to run the offence through and then get good looks for Jalen, I think Paolo is a terrific fit with him and could be great with KPJ and Sengun also.
I never understood how Martin got lost in the shuffle. Tate Jr came in and I sort of forgot about Martin Jr. I almost want to see him rotate in shoot guard position with Porter Jr if Eric Gordon and Wall is dealt. Been then again, Wall and one of Martin Or Tate would have to be in the trade, to make it possible. Center is a huge hole as Sengun and Wood are PF. I rather have a legit center until Mwaba can fill in. Not sure what’s going on with his development and why he isn’t being prepped for being a center at the NBA level. He needs more muscle and better footwork. Having a veteran center would make sense to pair with Mwaba. Drafting Paolo would make Wood expendable. In order to lose a veteran, you need a veteran at PF/C to help these younger big guys. Gordon should also be dealt even if it’s a second round pick. Having the idea of Martin Jr at SG/SF, makes me feel pretty good about trading away another veteran in the back court. Green, Porter Jr, (as of now) Schroder, and Martin Jr doesn’t look bad at the guard positions. Nix in the mix too when Martin Jr gives rest to Tate Jr at SF. Losing Wood would hurt at PF, but feel good about Sengun, Nwaba, and possible Paolo (with added Center in trade or free agent) at PF and C. This next season should be a huge defensive teaching for these young kids. That is one aspect on this team that needs to be in “lockdown” phase or the Rockets aren’t seeing the playoffs for at least 5 years from now. Shortly after Salias dismissal and a tear down for veterans, would the Rockets be potentially playoff team unless they can get this core to play defense
KJ Martin is an undersized PF or at worst a 3 he’s a 3&D wing that can attack the paint and block anyone(ask boban, the unicorn even Jokic) but he’ll never be a guard or any kind of ball handler. Still don’t want him to go as I think he’s got so much potential and looked like a great asset, so hopefully he changes his mind.
Sengun’s post game is already top 10 in league and has to play at the C which is why they were so high on Smith before the Lotto as he’s a great defender at PF to make up for his weakness. Unless Banchero can develop his D Sengun will have to get better defending the paint or they’ll look to move for defensive big. The rebuild will take a few years but Green will be a superstar as I think Banchero will be so I’m not worried about the time frame for contending, if they can develop both right they’ll be competing eventually. Biggest needs, Defensive development!!!