The NBA Trade Deadline may not be until tomorrow, but the Detroit Pistons got things started early on Wednesday.
Mark Stein is reporting that Detroit has acquired forward KJ Martin and two second round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers. Funny enough, Detroit gives up nothing here as they will absorb Martin’s 2-year, $16M deal — the second year is completely non-gauranteed — into their cap space in exchange for second round picks from the Milwaukee Bucks in 2027 and Dallas Mavericks in 2031.
Basically, Philly wants the freedom to scour the buyout market. Detroit wanted assets.
This isn’t the big deal some fans have wanted, but it isn’t nothing, either.
Martin, the son of former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin, has been a useful role player during his time in the NBA, mostly with the rebuilding Houston Rockets from 2020-2023. He’s dealt with injuries and a better roster in Philly the last two seasons, limiting him to 82 games in that span.
Still, Martin is an athletic wing who can make an open three and defend. I’m not sure he really moves the needle, but he’s got some small forward/power forward flexibility that the Pistons could utilize. I just don’t see where any minutes would exist here. This trade was about the picks. Eating a lil appetizer of sin, if you will.
And the Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa is reporting that the Pistons might re-route Martin elsewhere as part of another trade. Nothing for sure, but they’re working the phones.
This is fun!
Detroit still has time and reason to wheel and deal. They still have cap space and they still have a need for another ball handler… maybe someone like Lonzo Ball?
We’ll find out.