Rockets Trade Rumors: Kenyon Martin Jr. Deal ‘Increasingly Likely’ as Talks Heat Up

Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. is reportedly considered a strong trade candidate with free agency looming.

According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, trade talks focused on Martin have “increased in number” in recent days, and it is viewed as “increasingly likely” that he will be moved.

Iko added that Martin’s “combination of age, upside and salary” make him attractive on the trade market, and he’s perhaps the best option for Houston to clear some salary-cap and roster space in anticipation of an active free-agent signing period for the franchise.

After going in the second round of the 2020 NBA draft, Martin spent his first three seasons in Houston and progressively got better with each passing year.

The son of 2000 No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Kenyon Martin reached new heights last season, appearing in all 82 games, and starting 49 of them.

He also set career highs across the board with 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28.0 minutes per game, plus he shot a career-best 56.9 percent from the field.

The Rockets exercised the $1.93 million option in Martin’s contract for next season and fully guaranteed his salary, but he can become a free agent at the end of the season, which perhaps gives Houston some incentive to see what it can get for him on the trade market.

Houston also figures to need some roster space since Spotrac projects the Rockets to have the most cap space in the NBA this offseason at $60.5 million, which is over $20 million more than the next closest team.

The Rockets have been linked to many of the top free agents as a result, and NBA insider Marc Stein reported this week that they are “strong contenders” to sign both Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet and Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks.

VanVleet is arguably the best free agent available, and Michael Grange of Sportsnet reported this week that the Rockets may be willing to pay him as much as $40 million per year over two seasons.

If those signings prompt the Rockets to trade a player like Martin, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets are among the potential suitors.

Phoenix would be an especially intriguing fit since the Suns have essentially no depth behind their core of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Deandre Ayton, meaning Martin would likely play a sizable role.

At 22, Martin is currently part of a talented, young core in Houston headlined by Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson, Kevin Porter Jr. and Alperen Şengün.

While dealing Martin is a move that could backfire on the Rockets since he still has room to grow and improve, his low salary makes him easily tradeable, and Houston may have no choice other than to part with some players if it overhauls the roster through free agency.