Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Kevin Martin (L) drives past Los Angeles Lakers' D'Angelo Russell. (Photo : Getty Images)
Kevin Martin's name had always been mentioned in trade rumors every season and it is no different this time as the Feb. 18 trading deadline approaches. One of the latest speculations surrounding Martin is the reported interest coming from the Milwaukee Bucks for the Minnesota Timberwolves' veteran shooting guard.
Fansided reported, citing Sheridan Hoops' Michael Scotto, that the Bucks already "had exploratory trade interest" in the 33-year-old NBA journeyman. Scotto mentioned it was only "due diligence" in the part of Milwaukee, but it still means that they are interested in Martin however which way one sees it.
The report continued that point guard Greivis Vasquez and a second-round pick could be offered to the Wolves in exchange for Martin, but there are still no official news yet to confirm the negotiations.
Although Vasquez is already sidelined for the season after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur from his right ankle, it is predicted that Minnesota will accept the offer just to unload Martin, who is said to be "too old to be in the young core, but too young to be a wise mentor in the same vein as Kevin Garnett, Tayshaun Prince or Andre Miller".
Cheat Sheet indicated that Martin is "a viable option" for teams who are looking to improve their offensive production especially going into the playoffs as the former Western Carolina standout had always been a decent three-point shooter even during down seasons.
The Bucks can surely use him to improve their bench scoring in particular, which is one of many issues that head coach Jason Kidd had been trying to solve so far this season. Besides Jerryd Bayless, all of Kidd's backup backcourt options have not been quite efficient in their shooting, which overloads the offensive burden on the shoulders of the starters.
Martin is in the third year of his four-year, $27.8 million contract with Minnesota that earns him an average of about $7 million per year. It is not much of a salary to take, especially with what he could bring to a team. He could also serve as a starter at the two guard position if in case unwanted injuries involving starters would occur.
Martin is averaging 11.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 35 games for the Wolves so far this season, playing in 22.6 minutes per night. It is a big drop from the 20.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists averages he registered last season as head coach Sam Mitchell has been opting to use Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine at his position.
