Joel Embiid gives up $113 million, signs reduced contract extension…
In an expected move, the Sixers will re-sign forward KJ Martin, a source confirms to Liberty Ballers. The move was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who adds that the deal is for two years and $16 million.
It was expected for much of the offseason that Martin would return to the Sixers. Our Bryan Toporek floated the idea of the Sixers giving Martin a “balloon deal” using his Bird Rights to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him. While this is, respectfully, above market value for Martin, the number lines up for the Sixers to use it more in a trade for a role player than a star. We’ll keep you posted as we learn the contract structure and what it means moving forward.
In the meantime, Martin should be a useful player to the Sixers. Acquired in the trade that sent James Harden to the LA Clippers, Martin’s playing time was sporadic here. By the end of the regular season, with his team decimated by injuries, head coach Nick Nurse found creative ways to use Martin, including give him some minutes as a small-ball five. Since the Sixers have no true fours or small-ball fives on the current roster, there should be minutes for Martin in some capacity.
Martin, 23, is the son of former NBA veteran Kenyon Martin. The younger Martin spent the first three seasons of his NBA career with the Houston Rockets before being traded to LA. He provides the Sixers with size, athleticism and toughness at the forward position.
