Los Angeles Clippers acquire K.J. Martin from Rockets

Los Angeles Clippers acquire K.J. Martin from Rockets

The Houston Rockets have traded springy forward KJ Martin to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a pair of future second-round picks, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski first reported Saturday.

ESPN Sources: The Los Angeles Clippers are acquiring Houston Rockets forward K.J. Martin in a trade for two future second-round draft picks. pic.twitter.com/p5k1QG5stI

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023

According to Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times, the two second-rounders will be a Clippers’ 2026 second-round pick and a Grizzlies’ 2027 second-round pick.

Can confirm, per source, the Clippers are trading for KJ Martin. Per source,

Clippers are sending Houston a 2027 second-round pick from Memphis and a 2026 second-round pick.

— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) July 1, 2023

Martin’s team option was picked up by the Rockets earlier this week; he’s in the final year of his deal, making $1.9 million for the 2023-24 season, and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

He will fit into a $2.1 million trade exception generated from Reggie Jackson’s deadline deal with the Denver Nuggets in February.

KJ Martin’s coming off a career season, averaging 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 56.9 percent shooting, including 31.5 percent from long-range and shot 68.0 percent from the free-throw line.

Martin, 22, was drafted in the second round by the Kings in 2020, with his draft rights traded to Houston. In three seasons, he’s averaged 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds on 54.5 percent shooting. The Clippers are getting a remarkable athlete/vertical spacer who joins an aging wing rotation alongside Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Robert Covington, Nic Batum and Marcus Morris.

The Clippers, who are knee shoulder deep into the luxury tax and well beyond the second apron, continue to have interesting decisions ahead with what players they want to retain and trade. Nevertheless, KJ Martin for two seconds is excellent value, even on an expiring.

What do you think of the trade? Let us know in the comments below!

This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.

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