Kenyon Martin Sr. Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Heat At Top Of Kenyon Martin’s Wish List

November 13th, 2012 at 8:20pm CST by Luke Adams

8:20pm: The Wolves turned down an offer from Kenyon Martin to sign for the minimum, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. That seems to indicate he'd be willing to sign for the minimum to play for Miami, too, as well as perhaps other NBA teams.

12:29pm: The Heat have moved to the top of Kenyon Martin's wish list for potential destinations, a source tells Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Earlier this month, we heard that Martin is still seeking a contract offer, and is hoping to land with a contender.

If Martin is open to playing for the veteran's minimum, a concession he wasn't willing to make in the offseason, the Heat could potentially be a fit. Miami used its mid-level exception to sign Ray Allen, but is still eligible to sign players to minimum-salary contracts. The team is also carrying 15 players and would have to cut someone in order to make room for Martin, with non-guaranteed players Josh Harrellson and Terrel Harris the most logical candidates.

Still, there's no indication yet that the Heat are interested in signing Martin, who established career-lows in PPG (5.2), RPG (4.3), and PER (9.9) last season with the Clippers. The 34-year-old is one of a number of big-name free agents still on the market, two weeks into the regular season.

Odds & Ends: Martin, Blatche, Nets, Lakers, Heat

November 10th, 2012 at 12:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Here's a look around the NBA as we wait if the Lakers will call upon Phil Jackson to man the sidelines once again..

Free agent forward Kenyon Martin turned down an offer from Greece's Panthianakos in hopes of landing an NBA job, a source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo (via Twitter). Even though Martin continues to talk with NBA teams about joining mid-season, nothing is imminent (Twitter link). Martin finds himself without a gig largely because of his demand for the mini-mid level exception over the summer.
Andray Blatche picked up a reputation for wild behavior while with the Wizards, but he finds himself on the straight-and-narrow with the Nets, writes Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld. The athletic big man credited the move with getting him back on the right track and said that he needed a change of scenery in order to start realizing his potential.
When it came to letting coach Mike Brown go, the Lakers looked into the past for some guidance, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel notes that the man who Udonis Haslem once fired as his agent is now the leader of the team the Heat forward will be facing Sunday. Haslem first chose Jason Levien, now the CEO of the Grizzlies, as his agent when he was coming out of the University of Florida but later fired him. The forward says that the two were never on bad terms and half-jokingly noted that he is glad to have never burnt the bridge with a potential future employer.

Poll: Will Kenyon Martin Sign With An NBA Team?

November 6th, 2012 at 7:06pm CST by Zachary Links

On Sunday, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reported that Kenyon Martin has yet to even receive even a non-guaranteed contract offer this year. The forward is, predictably, frustrated by the lack of opportunities put him front of him this offseason, but it's fair to say that he misjudged what the market would be for his services. The 12-year veteran wanted a team to fork over the mini-mid level exception for him, which could have been a realistic request under the old CBA.

Now, Martin is anxious to get back on an NBA court and prove that he can still play at a high level while shedding the bad-boy image that has plagued him throughout much of his career. While Martin struggled to contain his emotions on the court in his early years with the Nets, the forward has since learned to control his anger and no longer racks up technical fouls in bunches. He has also learned a valuable lesson from this offseason and now plans to sign with the next club that makes him an offer. The Knicks, Lakers, Mavericks, Nets, Hawks, and Spurs all checked in on Martin this offseason – will one of those clubs come calling again with a contract in hand?

Southeast Notes: Martin, Heat, Magic, Henderson

November 6th, 2012 at 11:52am CST by Luke Adams

As Americans head to the polling stations today and cast their votes, many eyes will be on Florida, one of the swing states that could decide the presidential race. When it comes to the NBA, we're eyeing a pair of Florida teams in this morning's round-up of Southeast Division notes:

With Kenyon Martin expressing a desire to join an NBA roster, fans of contenders are asking if their favorite teams ought to consider signing the former first overall pick. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel weighs the odds of the Heat going after Martin. Elsewhere, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com explores the topic in relation to the Knicks.
In a piece for Grantland, Zach Lowe looks into whether teams around the league, such as the Thunder, might be trying to "wait out Miami" and peak as a contender when the Heat starts getting older, rather than right now.
Even after having dealt Dwight Howard, the Magic weren't built to lose a ton of games this season, says Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. Kyler adds that could change if Orlando moves some of its veterans before the trade deadline.
The Bobcats have announced that Gerald Henderson will miss two to four weeks with a mid-foot sprain. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer tweets that it could be worse for Henderson, as there was some concern the foot was fractured. Still, it's a setback for a player who is in a contract year, preparing for restricted free agency next summer.

Odds & Ends: Martin, Jennings, Parker, Gaines

November 5th, 2012 at 4:50pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA has issued its first two warnings for flops, as the league's official site outlines today. The league has formally warned the Timberwolves' J.J. Barea and the Cavs' Donald Sloan about flopping, meaning that if either player commits a second offense, they'll be fined $5K. Let's round up a few more odds and ends from around the Association….

Kenyon Martin may be open to playing for just about any NBA team, but don't expect the Mavericks to make him an offer, says Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.
While Brandon Jennings may feel as if he's auditioning for other teams, he certainly remains in the Bucks' long-term plans, writes Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld.
Within his weekly Morning Tip column at NBA.com, TNT's David Aldridge looks at the post-James Harden Thunder, talks to Tony Parker about why he's been willing to accept a discount to remain with the Spurs, and conducts a Q&A with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov.
Italy's Pallacanestro Cantu may have interest in adding Sundiata Gaines, according to a Sportando report. Gaines, who was cut by the Pacers prior to the season, played for the Italian club back in 2008/09.
Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal shares a few of his first impressions of new Grizzlies owner Robert Pera. Meanwhile, Pera and new CEO Jason Levien responded to some questions about how they intend to run the franchise.
Appearing on 98.7 ESPN Radio in New York, commissioner David Stern discussed his decision to retire in February of 2014, and how he feels about the criticisms he's faced (link via Sports Radio Interviews).

Kenyon Martin Yet To Get NBA Offer

November 4th, 2012 at 8:22pm CST by Alex Lee

Kenyon Martin has yet to receive even an non-guaranteed offer from an NBA team after playing last season with the Clippers, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. The 12-year veteran spoke with Yahoo, expressing confusion over the lack interest for his services. Martin says that there is a misconception within NBA circles that he is difficult that is a result of his notoriously emotional and competitive play.

Martin told Spears, “There is a notion about me that is not accurate at all – I don’t know who started it or where it came from – that people can’t control me. I don’t understand. Have I had my issues like a lot of other people? Yeah. But I’m getting back that people think they can’t control me, that if I don’t play I’m going to explode, or I can turn a locker room.”

Martin also said that he was hoping to latch on with a contender, but now a week into the season, he will sign with the next NBA team that gives him an offer. After playing a portion of last season in China, Martin signed with the Clippers in February and averaged 5.2 points and 4.3 boards in 22.4 minutes per game as Blake Griffin‘s backup.

Blazers general manager Neil Olshey, who was with the Clippers last year, had nothing but good things to say about Martin, making it even more puzzling as to why the Cincinnati product has been unable to find a home.

Olshey said: “We don’t win the Memphis series [without Martin] and we certainly wouldn’t have finished as high as fifth in the Western Conference without Martin. His ability to impact the game by guarding multiple positions, switching pick-and-rolls, blocking shots and protecting the rim was an element we really didn’t have and it made us unique. I was thrilled with Kenyon in Los Angeles. He was a good teammate.”

Expect interest in Martin to pick up as teams have a better idea of their needs or have injury issues. Spears says that the Knicks, Lakers, Mavericks, Nets, Hawks and Spurs all checked in on Martin this offseason.

Kenyon Martin Sr.

Odds & Ends: Bledsoe, Paul, McDyess, Pacers

November 4th, 2012 at 12:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

HoopsWorld's Eric Pincus examines the depth of the Clippers, and says that the team has received numerous inquiries about reserve point guard Eric Bledsoe. The Clippers won't consider moving Bledsoe until they sign Chris Paul to a long-term contract, Pincus hears, adding that most executives expect Paul, an unrestricted free agent next summer, to stay with the team. There's plenty of other news from around the Association on the first weekend of the regular season, so let's dive right in.

We heard yesterday that Antonio McDyess is considering a comeback, but he has no interest in joining the Wolves, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News.
In his third season, Lance Stephenson is finally making an impact for the Pacers as he receives minutes for the injured Danny Granger, writes Mark Montieth of Pacers.com. Montieth adds that Granger, who's out indefinitely, could face surgery on his sore left knee.
Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com examines the options for the Warriors in the wake of Brandon Rush's season-ending injury, and mentions Mickael Pietrus, Maurice Evans, Josh Howard and Kenyon Martin as "free agent names arising" in case the team goes looking for a replacement.
C.J. Watson drew interest from other teams that could have offered more money, but he decided to sign with the Nets on a minimum-salary deal instead, notes Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post.
Jeff Teague is using the Hawks' decision not to extend his rookie-scale contract this week as motivation, but he isn't upset with the team, the point guard tells Lang Greene of HoopsWorld.
In the same piece, Greene also checks in with Rockets swingman Daequan Cook, who's looking to prove his worth as a teammate after his inclusion in the James Harden trade caught him off guard.
Neil Olshey took the Blazers' offer to become GM after owner Paul Allen put it on the table with the condition that Olshey was not to give the Clippers a chance to match, writes Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.
Trey Johnson, who spent 11 games with the Hornets last year, was close to signing with Angelico Biella, but it appears the deal is falling apart, Sportando's Emiliano Carchia reports.

Northwest Rumors: Budinger, Martin, Westbrook

November 2nd, 2012 at 11:59am CST by Luke Adams

A rematch of last year's Western Conference Finals was the only game on the NBA's slate Thursday night, but it certainly delivered. After hitting a game-tying three with 28 seconds left, Tony Parker hit a buzzer-beater to give the Spurs an 86-84 win over the defending Northwest Division champions. We've got a few Thunder-related links to pass along this morning as they regroup from last night's loss, along with a couple more Northwest notes:

Despite not playing his first regular-season game with the Timberwolves yet, Chase Budinger tells Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities he can already picture himself sticking around Minnesota for a while: "I can definitely see myself here (long-term). It's a great city. You can already see how good the fans are here…. I'm excited for the season."
Wolfson also tweets that Kenyon Martin's camp has checked in a few times with the Timberwolves, but the T-Wolves have said Kevin Love's recovery is going well and they don't have a need at power forward. Since K-Mart is reportedly seeking the mini mid-level, I'm not sure the Wolves are necessarily a match anyway.
Noting that it felt "surreal" to be dealt to a championship contender like the Thunder, another K-Mart, Kevin Martin, tells Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld that he wasn't surprised by the trade. "With next summer being an unrestricted free agent and them in rebuilding mode," Martin said. "I knew it was going to come at some point."
One "well-placed" NBA executive tells Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he would've preferred to trade Russell Westbrook than James Harden, if he were running the Thunder (Twitter link).
Kevin Durant spoke to reporters last night about the Harden trade, and HoopsWorld TV has the video.

Kennedy On Davis, Martin, Whiteside, Oden

November 2nd, 2012 at 11:06am CST by Luke Adams

HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy has taken to Twitter this morning to share a few updates about a number of NBA free agents, including one that hasn't played in the league since the 2009/10 season. Let's dive right in….

Kennedy hears that Ricky Davis, who last played for the Clippers in '09/10, is hoping to make a comeback. I don't expect any NBA team to sign Davis outright, but maybe he could end up in the D-League.
Kenyon Martin is drawing interest from multiple teams, but remains unwilling to sign for the minimum. As we heard earlier this week, Martin is seeking a mini mid-level deal.
Hassan Whiteside has been working out in Houston and Kennedy believes he's a good bet to land on an NBA roster this season.
Maurice Evans continues to weigh his NBA options, though he's still seeking a guaranteed contract, a commitment teams seem unwilling to make.
Don't be surprised if a team takes a flier on Greg Oden later this season, assuming he's healthy enough to return.

Kenyon Martin Seeking Mini Mid-Level

October 30th, 2012 at 7:15pm CST by Chuck Myron

Kenyon Martin's name is one of the most prominent remaining on our list of free agents, and he still believes he's worth the mini mid-level exception, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. It's unclear whether Zwerling is referring to the $3.09MM taxpayer's mid-level exception or the $2.575MM room exception. Martin's preference is to play for a championship contender, as Zwerling also notes.

Martin's agent, Andy Miller, indicated his client was conditionally open to playing for the veteran's minimum in September, saying he would do so in a "comfortable team role." It seemed he was on the verge of signing with the Knicks right before training camp, and went so far as to take a physical for the team, but no deal ever materialized. The Knicks instead turned to Rasheed Wallace, who made the opening-night roster after inking a non-guaranteed minimum salary deal. Martin also drew interest from a team in Israel, but turned down its offer of $900K.

It seems as if Martin, who turns 35 in December, is willing to wait for injuries and other matters to arise that would put a team in greater need for his services. Still, he might be asking a bit much for a deal around $3MM in the middle of the season, especially since Martin averaged career lows in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage last season.

Kenyon Martin Sr.