Our player preview series for the 2024 Clippers season continues with KJ Martin, the Clippers’ only notable addition in free agency.
Basic Information
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 215 pounds
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Years in NBA: 4
Key stats: 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 turnovers in 28 minutes per game across 82 games on 56.9/31.5/68 shooting splits in the regular season.
Contract status: Final year of a four-year contract worth $1,930,681 this season.
Expectations
The Clippers didn’t make any splashy free agent signings, as they didn’t have the cap space to do so. The acquisition of KJ Martin via trade was the biggest move they made all offseason and perhaps the one Clippers fans are most excited about. The team needed to get younger and more athletic and Martin certainly fits that description.
He’s coming off a career-year in Houston with an iron bill of health, having played all 82 games. He can play either forward position and he moved into the starting lineup for the Rockets by midseason.
He’s extremely well-suited to play off the Clippers two stars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and will most likely come off the bench. The Clippers will need him to do exactly what he did in Houston, which is continue his elite off-ball movement, be a finisher in the paint, defend at a high-level, and knock down open three-point shots.
Strengths
Martin has to be one of the best in the league at moving without the ball. He shot a career-high from the field this past season and that was largely due to his cuts and dives around the basket. He’s also one of the best in the NBA at running the break. Once he’s in the paint, he’s putting the ball through the rim. Martin should thrive with a playmaker like Russell Westbrook feeding him the ball.
Martin is also a capable defensive player. Where he’s excelled so far in his career is as a help defender blocking shots, using his athleticism, length, and defensive instincts to help teammates after they’ve been beat.
He’s been a capable three-point shooter as well. Last season his percentages took a slide, but he shot well from three-point range his first two seasons in the NBA and he holds a career average of 34 percent, albeit on low-ish volume.
Weaknesses
While Martin is an elite weak side defender, he can be prone to defensive lapses especially on ball. He’s coming to a team, however, that has been among the league’s best consistently on the defensive end under Tyronn Lue. Maybe playing in a defensive system that can mask some of his deficiencies will help him on that end.
His size can sometimes be an issue as well, especially on the defensive end. He’s only 6’6″ and can be undersized at either forward position depending on the matchup.
He isn’t much of a ball-handler either, but he can make quick decisions with the ball in his hands, especially in short roll situations.
Summary
The Martin trade has the potential to be one of the most underrated moves of the offseason. He really started blossoming this past year with the Rockets and is young enough to keep improving. He’s exactly what the Clippers need in a role player. He doesn’t try and do too much; he knows what he’s good at, and he plays his role to perfection. He’s going to make the Clippers fun to watch and fans should expect a few highlight reel dunks this season, which will be welcome after last year.
