The NBA’s post-trade-deadline buyout market is about to get a lot more interesting.
We have already seen Anderson Varejao sign with the Golden State Warriors, and it’s only a matter of time before Joe Johnson joins the Cleveland Cavaliers or Oklahoma City Thunder or some other contender in need of depth on the wings.
Speaking of wings, Kevin Martin is about to become available, according to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein:
Kevin Martin and the Timberwolves in advanced buyout negotiations to make him free agent by playoff-eligibility deadline, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 26, 2016
Finally.
Kevin Martin has no business being on the Timberwolves, who have also cut bait with Andre Miller. Their minutes need to be divvied up among the kiddies, and enough veteran playing time is being handed to Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince.
It seemed as if this buyout might not get done for a while. Martin has a player option worth $7.4 million for next season, and that was/is likely the holdup in negotiations.
Though his value has plummeted as he’s shuffled in and out of Minny’s rotation this season, Martin will be of use to someone. My bet is the Dallas Mavericks or Thunder. Even as he’s struggled, he’s still putting down 36.9 percent of his triples. And that’s his worst conversion rate from downtown since 2011-12.
In the right system, alongside the right players, he can function as a high-profile catch-and-shoot assassin. Returning to Oklahoma City would be fun, but the Thunder’s defense is already crap and Martin can be a liability on that end of the floor. Cleveland becomes interesting if Johnson heads elsewhere. Martin could be the Ray Allen they were supposed to have but never got. Both the Miami Heat and Mavericks have needs for a sweet-shooting guard/wing as well.
This is to say, Kevin Martin won’t have any issue finding a new home after his Minnesota exit.
