On Monday, the 76ers officially announced that forward KJ Martin has re-signed with the team.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, it’s a two-year, $16 million contract.
“KJ Martin is a talented young player who brings athleticism and versatility to our front court,” Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Morey said in a press release. “He’s a fearless competitor who is just scratching the surface of his potential. We’re eager to see his continued growth here in Philadelphia.”
After being acquired as part of a three-team, seven-player deal between the 76ers, LA Clippers, and Oklahoma City on Nov. 1, 2023, Martin shot 54.4 percent from the field and averaged 3.7 points and 12.3 minutes in 58 games (two starts) with Philadelphia in 2023-24.
Before this past season, Martin averaged career highs in points (12.7), field-goal percentage (56.9% FG), rebounds (5.5), and assists (1.5) while playing in all 82 of Houston’s games (49 starts) in 2022-23.
However, Philadelphia may have re-signed the 23-year-old Martin for another reason.
According to Forbes, the 76ers are now well over the NBA’s $170.8 million luxury-tax threshold and right around the $178.1 million first apron, but they’re still well below the $188.9 million second apron. Under the previous CBA, there was only one apron.
Teams above that threshold were allowed to take back 125% of the salary that they sent out in trades, plus $100,000. Under the current CBA, teams over the first apron aren’t allowed to take back a single dollar more in salary than they send out.
Martin, who can’t be dealt until January 15th, could be a trade piece, and he could be traded sometime before the trade deadline, or maybe the athletic forward will prove that he’s a player that could help Philadelphia win an NBA title.
Originally selected by Houston (via Sacramento) in the second round (No. 52 overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft, the 23-year-old has produced 8.9 points on 54.4-percent shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 21.7 minutes in 266 career games (61 starts) over four NBA seasons with the Rockets, Clippers, and 76ers.
