Free agent forward KJ Martin plans to sign with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, a source tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (story via Dario Skerletic).
The 52nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Martin had spent the past five years in the NBA prior to being released by the Jazz in late September. His $8MM contract for 2025/26 was fully non-guaranteed.
A 6’6″ combo forward, Martin has appeared in 309 career NBA games, including 77 starts. He holds averages of 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .545/.329/.673.
Martin spent his first three seasons in Houston prior to being sent to the Clippers in the 2023 offseason. His stint with Los Angeles was brief, as he was re-routed to Philadelphia in the James Harden trade a few months later.
The 24-year-old, who missed about six weeks of action last season due to a foot injury, split the 2024/25 campaign with the Sixers and Jazz, averaging 6.4 PPG and 2.9 RPG in 43 games (21.2 MPG). Philadelphia technically traded him to Detroit prior to the February deadline, but he was immediately flipped to Utah as part of the Jimmy Butler blockbuster.
Known for his energy and athleticism, Martin was unable to find another NBA team after being cut by the Jazz this fall. This will be the first overseas stint for the son of former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin.
Kenyon Martin would refer to todays NBA as the WNBA, the league’s done a great job of watering it down and eliminating rivalries—time for a new commish.
I’ve hated the NBA for the last 10+ years. You just succinctly explained why. It’s a ballerina league now where O/U are 280 points. Total disgrace.
I agree that has nothing to do with KJ. He is not a NBA player and those are facts. We are in love with NBA sons when many of them are not NBA players.