Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. may become available for trade this season, according to sources. Martin Jr. was selected 52nd overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2020 NBA Draft. Then, the 6-foot-6 winger was immediately traded to Houston for cash and a 2021 second-round draft pick.
Kelly wrote, “In conversations with the teams, the Rockets have maintained their stance that they are not looking to trade anyone of their core — including top five picks in Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and lottery picks Alberin Shingon and Tare Esoo.” Echo Athlete.
At a handful of NBA betting sites, the Rockets are 24th in the rankings for winning a championship next season in 2024. Sportsbooks give the Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs better odds.
.@employee He shares his thoughts on whether #rocket Would you consider a Kenyon Martin Jr transfer:
Full episode in the link below:https://t.co/4rBhwjQn3j pic.twitter.com/ftuDRMJX5R
– The Bradaux & Will Show (BradeauxAndWill) June 17, 2023
Elsewhere, there has been interest in 22-year-old forward KJ Martin, sources say, with his combination of age and upside still interesting to opposing NBA teams and considered achievable internally at the right price.
Of course, Kenyon Martin Jr. played the spotlight last season. The third-year winger has played 49 games in all 82 matches played in the 2022-23 season. The forward averaged career highs of 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 28 minutes per game. Martin Jr. also hit a career best 56.9% from the floor.
Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. could become available for a potential trade this season
Additionally, in Houston’s 128-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on November 25, Martin Jr. scored 21 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds in 34 minutes as a starter.
In missile losses from 130 to 125 l Memphis Grizzlies On March 22, the California native scored a career-high 31 points in 39 minutes as a starter. He totaled six boards and two blocks while shooting 12-of-18 (66.7%) from the field and 2-of-5 (40%) from outside the arc.
Kenyon Martin Jr. (who is still only 22):
Finished with 179 dives (7th in the NBA) and had the third-highest blocked-zone FG% in the entire NBA after breaking all-stars (78.6%)
I don’t know if it will be on #rocket Next season, but there is no denying that it is promising… pic.twitter.com/YYOsus9WGV
– Prado (BradeauxNBA) May 25, 2023
If the Rockets decide to trade Kenyon Martin Jr., that would be an easy move. In November 2020, the striker signed a four-year, $6 million contract extension with the club. His salary of $1,930,681 for the 2023-24 season is not guaranteed.
Moreover, the Rockets hold the No. 4 and 20 picks in the 2023 NBA draft on Thursday. Houston is expected to select elite overtime guard Amin Thompson at fourth. However, USA Today’s Jeff Zilgit and CBS Sports’ Gary Parish have the Rockets named new Villanova forward Cam Whitmore at number four.