The Hawks met Thursday with a representative for center Kenyon Martin, according to a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking.
Martin, 34, averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 48 games for the Nuggets last season. The 11-year veteran signed a one-year deal to play in China with Xinjiang during the NBA lockout last summer. He is eligible to return to the NBA following the Chinese season in several weeks.
Martin has reportedly been offered a contract by the Heat. ESPN recently reported that he is also interested in signing with the Clippers, Spurs and Knicks, along with the Hawks and Heat.
Martin could make a decision by the end of the week. According to reports FIBA has cleared Martin, allowing him to sign with an NBA team.
The Hawks have used a combination of Zaza Pachulia, Jason Collins and Ivan Johnson at center since the loss of Al Horford last month to a torn pectoral muscle. While the Hawks are 9-2 in the 11 games without Horford, teams with dominant big men can present problems. Martin (6-foot-9, 240) could help in that regard.
The Hawks could probably only offer Martin the veteran minimum in salary. They do offer a team that has made the playoffs the past four seasons, including three straight trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals. They are currently tied for third in the conference behind the Bulls and Sixers.
http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/02/02/h ... logs_hawks
