The Miami Heat may well have a commitment from 2004 NBA All-Star and former Denver Nuggets and Xinjiang Flying Tigers forward Kenyon Martin.
Martin who was released by the Chinese club on December 24 could well be back in an NBA jersey by as soon as February 16.
The first overall selection in the 2000 draft according to sources have the Heat, Clippers, Hawks, Spurs and Knicks as teams of interest.
Martin, 34, is eager to go to a team with strong contention where he will play a substantial role.
If the 6’9’’ F limits his options to those five teams mentioned, then money won’t be the biggest factor. The Clips, Knicks, Spurs and Hawks can offer Martin around $2.5m plus. The Heat has only $1.4m to play with.
This is why Martin will decide on playing in Miami when the Flying Tigers’ season ends.
Factor one is age. Factor two is a Championship ring.
It’s that simple.
Imagine the line-up the Heat will have if they sign Martin. Miami would have Mario Chalmers and D-Wade in the backcourt with LeBron, Martin and Bosh in the frontcourt.
That would mean four NBA All-Stars in the same team. I can see the Michael Douglas aka Gordon Gekko lookalike Pat Riley sitting back in his executive chair saying, “Greed is good.”
Martin is expected to make a decision next week.
Samuel Candido
Roar Rookie
Could be the burst of energy the Heat need towards the end of the condensed season.
laloo
Guest
what exactly is joel anthony's %? A hobbled martin is still muc much better than anthony can even dream to be. come on..joel anthony?
mushi
Guest
Martin has a career true shooting percentage of around 51%. For a 4/5 that is pretty poor (even if at 34 he meets his career average) if he's taking shots away from Bosh, Bron or Wade who are all north of 56% I'm not sure that is a win for the Heat's offence
Alex
Guest
Joel Anthony is goning to be cut!
Alex
Guest
Agree
Alex
Guest
If the Heat get K-mart, they have solved two problems at once. They will have a big four and they will stop nedding a center because Bosh can player can be power foward while K-Mart dose center. Next year, we will have the fab 5 with Deron Williams! Go Heat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My team is going to win two championships in a row.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Follow me on Twitter @CamLarkin. I will be uploading tonight the second edition of Aussies Ballin' in the US - http://cameronlarkin.com
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Either way, if you're a Heat fan you should be excited.
adrmillz
Guest
Kenyon Martin would fit but at the 4. Bosh has played his best possessions when he has slid over to the 5 spot. This would Take away from the starting rotation defensively but also add a player who knows the floor position and how to move and get to his spot and score offensively.it would put Anthony on the bench and give us a big defensive spark and energy off the bench with UD Battier mike miller and Cole off the bench Anthony and UD provding energy as well as defense. Battier energy defensively and Cole willing to pushthe ball offensively and miller ready to knock down the long range shots.I think it could work but only if Martin is READY mentally.
mushi
Guest
Sorry I wasn’t clear on the role player - when I said declining role player I meant his output and on court role not on/off the bench (i.e. Joel Anthony is a role player even if he starts). Kmart has had a 13 to 14 PER over the last three seasons meaning he is a below average player numbers wise. His big benefit since his injuries has been defence at the 4 and, in a pinch, the 5. When talking height you’ve got to talk standing reach (one of my peeves of the NBA’s “reporting”) - Anthony’s standing reach is apparently 9’6” – super legit centre height (Shaq was 9’5” in pre draft measurements) and he’s got 10 to 15 pounds on Martin, plus two good knees. Anthony is a true 5. Martin is a 4 who can cover the 5 – just like Haslem. Now factor in his advancing age (now in that dreaded mid thirties cliff for players without an “aging” skill like shooting form, height etc) and his frail body in a compressed season (number of times he’s played out a full season = 0) and that he isn’t as good at defending as a 5 as Anthony and I don’t see his fit in this team as a starter. As a second big man off the bench for decent minutes sure but starter – I just don’t see it.
Jrbc26
Guest
Martin to the Heat is the best thing for the Heat. Anthony cannot score... With Martin you get the same type of defender but one who will score about 8 a game and gives you more defensive flexibility. I too like Haslem but he is not a frontline defender. Plus in the sprint that is the 2012 NBA season you need depth, especially in the post. Another plus is the fact Martin has a certain attitude about his game... Kenyon Martin plays like he is pissed of at the world. For a team of nice guys and buddy buddies a little fire and brimstone is just the kind of edge the Heat need to be dominant. Today Anthony got 1point and the game was close down to the last shot... Add 8 points and the game is over at the 4 min mark! That's why the Heat need Keyon Martin!
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Mushi, Haslem has been a favourite player of mine right throughout his time in the NBA. He is a tremendous player and as I have mentioned in a previous Miami Heat article, Haslem is the heart of the Miami team. He is also best when coming off the bench - sort of like Manu for the Spurs. His energy that he provides may be wasted if he was to start full-time. Martin is a physical player and at 6'9'' he is the same height as Anthony. An option would be to push Bosh up into the 5 role and get him to be more physical in addition to having the shooting ability to drag the big defenders out of the paint, therefore allowing more cuts from the gaurds. Martin has been a starter throughout his career and can provide OK numbers and a good fit I believe with James and Wade. The $1.5m for a player of his calibre is very good.
mushi
Guest
Not sure Martin even cracks the first 8 in the rotation for the Heat. If they did decide to go with that type of player at the 5 than simply a long defender like Anthony why wouldn't you go with Halsem as the starter who is better in almost every regard than Martin over the past two or three years. Sure he made one all star team 8 years back but he's 34, undersized for his position (if you run him at the 5) and two microfracture surgeries have robbed him of the athleticism that was his defining feature. He’s been a role player in decline since 2006. But as the 9th guy in the rotation at $1.5m yeah that’s decent value.