K.J. Martin 'Stolen' From Rockets By Clippers?

The Houston Rockets sent forward K.J. Martin to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for two second round picks.

HOUSTON — A year after requesting a trade from the Houston Rockets, K.J. Martin's demand was met. On July 2, the Rockets sent Martin to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a pair of second-round picks.

The deal with the Clippers came two days after the Rockets exercised their team option on Martin for the 2023-24 season. The Los Angeles native is projected to make $1.9 million with the Clippers.

Due to his off-season trade request, Martin came into the 2022-23 season with uncertainty surrounding his future with the team. But by the end of his third year, he had a career season averaging 12.7 points on 56.9 percent shooting and 5.5 rebounds across 82 games.

Los Angeles wanted younger talent to add to its championship corps. And by acquiring Martin, the Clippers believes they "stole" the 22-year-old forward from the Rockets, per Keith Smith of Spotrac.

"I hate to talk bad about any other team, and everyone makes deals for their reasons, but we stole K.J. Martin. He’s going to add a whole new level of athleticism to our frontcourt. Our vets are going to love playing with him, and he’ll change the energy in games for us. Just a straight-up robbery to get him on our roster."

Martin was the first player general manager Rafael Stone drafted to jumpstart Houston's rebuild. By acquiring a second-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Houston drafted Martin with the No. 52nd pick. K.J. ends his three-year tenure with the Rockets averaging 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds across 206 games.

His best performance came on March 22 in a road match against the Memphis Grizzlies. Martin scored a career-best 31 points on 12-for-18 shooting, 2-for-5 from behind the arc, while the Rockets fell 130-125 to the Grizzlies. He also added six rebounds and two rejections in the loss.

"He was out there just doing what he does," former coach Stephen Silas said. "He is an expert at it. He was just so aggressive and attacking the rim. He continues to be consistent, and that is important in his development."

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