LOS ANGELES — The Clippers just got even better.
Unexpectedly given early freedom after an abbreviated stint in the Chinese Basketball Association, Kenyon Martin signed Friday night with the Pacific-Division-leading Los Angeles Clippers.
“Kenyon is the ultimate competitor and a key acquisition,” stated Vice President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey. “We expect that he will provide additional experience, passion and professionalism, as well as some important depth to our front court.”
Martin, 34, has played in 654 career NBA games with the New Jersey Nets and Denver Nuggets and 89 playoff games. The 6-foot-9, 234 pound forward brings career averages of 13.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks to the Clippers.
The consensus 2000 NCAA Player of the Year after a stellar career at the University of Cincinnati, Martin was drafted by New Jersey with the number one overall pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. Martin was a key member of two Nets teams that made back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.
The Dallas, Texas product enjoyed his best statistical season in 2003-04 with New Jersey when he averaged 16.7 points and 9.7 rebounds and was selected to the All-Star Team.
Martin is expected to join the Clippers on their current road trip in Orlando, where Los Angeles plays on Monday, and will wear uniform #2.
But when he is cleared to play remains in doubt.
From Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports: “The Chinese Basketball Association has forwarded an affidavit to FIBA and the NBA – signed by Martin upon his departure in late December – that stipulates he wouldn’t play in the NBA until his Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers’ season had ended. China is demanding the contract be honored and Martin have to wait until the Flying Tigers finish their season. The Flying Tigers have six games left and need a winning streak to catapult them into the playoffs. Their final regular-season game is Feb. 16. Chinese Basketball Association officials are insisting the clearance letter request was deliberately sent to their office over the New Year when they wouldn’t be available to respond. After seven days without a response, FIBA’s guidelines allow it to issue the letter of clearance that all international leagues – including the NBA – need to validate that a player has fulfilled contractual obligations elsewhere. In truth, Martin is expected to work out for a week with the Clippers before becoming activated. So even if the NBA reverses its ruling, Martin could likely still be back on the floor in two weeks. China carries significant importance for NBA commissioner David Stern, who has worked relentlessly to cultivate a business partnership with his league and the world’s largest country. What’s more, there’s been a strong belief within the global basketball community that the NBA discouraged China from signing its players under contract during the lockout. Several teams were close to negotiating deals with such stars as Kobe Bryant, Blake Griffin and Tony Parker before the CBA declared its teams would only sign free agents. Other American players in China and their agents are irate over Martin’s early clearance to return to the NBA. J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler were pleading cases on Thursday about getting themselves out of China and back to the NBA sooner than later. Martin had visited with several NBA teams interested in signing him before deciding on the Clippers.
Hey Chris. Nice site you have here. In regards to Martin, people are so excited about this acquisition. On the flip side, I am not so excited. What people need to know is that Kenyon Martin did not have a good outing in China . He has regressed and will most likely need a handful of games to get back into NBA shape. Yes, Martin will provide the Clips with another big body, but don’t expect for Martin to drop double-doubles every game. Just being realistic.
I see you love the NBA, check us out sometime. Always love another writer’s opinion on certain topics.
-CDR