KJ Martin

LamarWho · Post #1 » by **LamarWho** » Sat Jul 1, 2023 11:37 pm

I thought this guy deserves his own thread. This team desperately needs to get younger and more athletic, KJ is exactly we needed. Been wanting him on this team since last season. Probably the most athletic guy we got since Blake, very exciting!

KL2 · Post #2 » by **KL2** » Sat Jul 1, 2023 11:56 pm

What a steal. Thanks Houston.

Not all things are equal but perhaps a Mann replacement should he be included for Harden.

Post #3 » by **og15** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 12:06 am

I really like it.

Wouldn't call him a Mann replacement as he's essentially a PF. Transition, cuts, catches in the dunker spot and a spot up three here and there, very different player from Mann. He's more of a balancing force to the big forward group of Batum, little pt RoCo and gone from team Morris. Brings something none of them can.

Adds proven youth and athleticism vs picks where you never know. Houston hasn't been good, but he was efficient there, so just has to continue that as well as play smart. He's already a low turnover, low foul player, so this bodes really well.

ejftw · Post #4 » by **ejftw** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 12:13 am

Loved watching him at Sierra, and will enjoy watching him with my pro team. Now, can we two way Duane Washington as well.

Bobbymcgee · Post #5 » by **Bobbymcgee** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 12:42 am

Wow, the Clippers actually got a young player via trade, miracles do happen. Seriously though, looking forward to seeing what KJ brings to the Clippers, they desperately need a young big like him at power forward.

Wammy Giveaway · Post #6 » by **Wammy Giveaway** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 12:48 am

I like this move, and then I hated this move. Another "he defeated the Clippers" kind of move. Of all the games last year, Martin Jr.'s best scoring outputs were vs. Clippers, landing in top 5. He had a 22-point game where Rockets lost by 21 PTS (no. 5), then a 23-point game losing by 2 PTS (no. 2).

That 23-point game: season high at the time. Also, the closest margin of defeat amongst games where he scored 20 PTS or greater. They love the players who defeated them as reason to go after them; maybe they have the answer on how to win a championship.

For the curious, number 1 was vs. Grizzlies with a career high 31 PTS. Lost by 5.

I am cynical of this move for it feels like a rebuilding move. But his youth, highlight reel plays, and connection to Clippers by way of his father and current GM in Lawrence Frank may pay dividends. If Clippers can't get any that works on a smart level, then go by someone you know closely; let love, friendship and family handle the rest.

I just hope Frank doesn't get corrupted the same way Doc Rivers did. Otherwise, we may have to be prepared for a coaching war.

Quake Griffin · Post #7 » by **Quake Griffin** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 2:10 am

When do we have to pay him/figure out if we’ll pay him?

Bobbymcgee · Post #8 » by **Bobbymcgee** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 2:16 am

Quake Griffin wrote:When do we have to pay him/figure out if we’ll pay him?

Next off season he is a free agent. This is the last year of his contract at 1.9 million.

Source: https://hoopshype.com/player/kj-martin/salary/

ejftw · Post #9 » by **ejftw** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 2:20 am

Bobbymcgee wrote:
Quake Griffin wrote:When do we have to pay him/figure out if we’ll pay him?

Next off season he is a free agent. This is the last year of his contract at 1.9 million.

Source: https://hoopshype.com/player/kj-martin/salary/

Unrestricted with birds at least.

Ballings7 · Post #10 » by **Ballings7** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 3:40 am

Real solid pick up for this team, nice trade too -- brings things the team has really missed

Looking forward to seeing him play .. should be a bunch of cool moments this season from him

Captain Ballmer · Post #11 » by **Captain Ballmer** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 3:42 am

Great addition. He thrived playing with a passing bigman Sengun over there. Might wreak havoc with Plumlee as well if we indeed sign him to return.

Post #12 » by **TrueLAfan** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 3:35 pm

I like the pickup too. It's weird; Martin doesn't remind me as much of his Dad as he does a slightly earlier player--Jerome Kersey. Can't wait to see him on a team that is less individually oriented. The Rockets were at the bottom of the league in apg. I have a strong hunch Martin's perimeter game will go up big time. He's so good at screening people too: smart player. If he can bring his D game back, he'll be great. Even without that, he'll be useful.

wakelaunch1 · Post #13 » by **wakelaunch1** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 4:29 pm

TrueLAfan wrote:I like the pickup too. It's weird; Martin doesn't remind me as much of his Dad as he does a slightly earlier player--Jerome Kersey. Can't wait to see him on a team that is less individually oriented. The Rockets were at the bottom of the league in apg. I have a strong hunch Martin's perimeter game will go up big time. He's so good at screening people too: smart player. If he can bring his D game back, he'll be great. Even without that, he'll be useful.

We are a terrible passing team.

Clemenza · Post #14 » by **Clemenza** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 4:36 pm

I like this pick up. Good move

donemilio21 · Post #15 » by **donemilio21** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 4:38 pm

Giving minutes to Martin is going to much better for us than having those minutes go to Morris.
Low risk high reward deal for us. Kudos to the FO for picking him up.

NOW: If they plan to flip him to Philly to get Harden, while keeping Morris, I will take that praise back immediately.

Ballings7 · Post #16 » by **Ballings7** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 11:22 pm

donemilio21 wrote:Giving minutes to Martin is going to much better for us than having those minutes go to Morris.
Low risk high reward deal for us. Kudos to the FO for picking him up.

NOW: If they plan to flip him to Philly to get Harden, while keeping Morris, I will take that praise back immediately.

Yeah, lets hope not.. should be the Morris replacement.

Wammy Giveaway · Post #17 » by **Wammy Giveaway** » Sun Jul 2, 2023 11:42 pm

donemilio21 wrote:NOW: If they plan to flip him to Philly to get Harden, while keeping Morris, I will take that praise back immediately.

Even if they wanted to, Clippers can't legally do that. As a result of a trade, Martin Jr. cannot be combined with other players in a trade package. If Clippers trade him, it can only be by himself. The himself-trade stipulation is lifted after a certain time, I think.

ejftw · Post #18 » by **ejftw** » Mon Jul 3, 2023 1:18 am

Wammy Giveaway wrote:
donemilio21 wrote:NOW: If they plan to flip him to Philly to get Harden, while keeping Morris, I will take that praise back immediately.

Even if they wanted to, Clippers can't legally do that. As a result of a trade, Martin Jr. cannot be combined with other players in a trade package. If Clippers trade him, it can only be by himself. The himself-trade stipulation is lifted after a certain time, I think.

The trade has been agreed to, hasn't been made official via league office yet, so KJ can still be redirected, would just need to be in a three teamer or so

esqtvd · Post #19 » by **esqtvd** » Mon Jul 3, 2023 4:17 am

Rockets giving up on KJ after investing 5000+ NBA minutes in his development is puzzling, however. But with that much experience at only 22, certainly worth a flier.

Kelphus · Post #20 » by **Kelphus** » Mon Jul 3, 2023 8:31 am

In addition to the other comments, it's kind of cool that he is Kenyon's boy. Kenyon played as a Clipper I think for one year. 2011-2012 season. Played in 42 games, averaged 5.2 points per game, was about 32 years old. If Junior, who is about 23, played last season 28 minutes a game, scoring 12.7 per game, improves just a little, he will be a solid contributor for us - and as some have noted, is not part of the 30+ club in the age department.