Kenyon Martin is still a free agent. That’s right, more than three months into the offseason, he has yet to find a home. And apparently, that means he’s in a place to make demands.
It’s been a well-publicized fact that Martin is reluctant to accept a veteran’s minimum contract from any NBA team, preferring instead, to sit out of training camp or as late as mid-season.
To that end I ask: Are you kidding me? Does Martin not realize he’s 34, and that his career is dwindling? Does he not realize that as athletic as he once was—and arguably still is—he’s not worth much more than the veteran’s minimum, especially considering he’s still available this late in the game?
Apparently, though, Martin isn’t kidding—apparently he’s serious. And you know what that means? It’s time for everyone, including any potentially interested teams, to move on. At a time when Martin should be thankful contenders like the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics have exuded any interest in him, he’s instead basically spat in their face and on their open checkbooks.
I understand that the veteran’s minimum isn’t a lot of money in the NBA sphere, but an aging forward, who averaged just 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last year, isn’t in any position to be demanding more. In fact, by postponing what we can only assume is an inevitable signing with a pre-determined salary, Martin is only damaging his value.
What if Lou Amundson, five years younger than Martin, winds up excepting the veteran’s minimum from the Celtics or Knicks? What then?
Well, 1) Martin looks like an idiot, and 2) the market for him may dry up completely. The latter holds especially true, regardless of what happens with Amundson, if Martin opts to sit out part or half of the season. What team, let alone a contender, is going to want to invest any sort of time or money in a deteriorating athlete who’s been on the shelf for almost a year?
I know I wouldn’t, and by that point, it’s conceivable to believe both the Celtics and Knicks wouldn’t want to, and ultimately won’t, either.
So, Mr. Martin, it’s time you wake up and smell the reality. You have little to no leverage, and the fact that you’re still holding out is puzzling. Not only are you not the player you once were, but you’re not even worth the trouble. Any of it. At all.
The Knicks would be better off with a swingman, the Celtics would be better off taking their chances with Fab Melo and Jared Sullinger and any other organization would be best served avoiding Martin completely. That is, unless Martin comes to his senses.
But if the first three plus months of free agency have taught us anything, it’s that such a reversal in behavior probably isn’t going to happen. And given how minor a role Martin is fit to play these days anyway, I doubt the Celtics, Knicks or any other teams will lose much sleep over it.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
