San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Kevin Martin. (Photo : Getty Images)
After acquiring veteran All-Stars Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade this summer, the Chicago Bulls is looking for more outside shooters to add to their roster and one of their main targets is rumored to be free agent shooting guard Kevin Martin.
Martin, 33, started last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves before he was waived on March 1 and then signed by the San Antonio Spurs eight days later. He averaged 10.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists playing 21.4 minutes per game in 39 games for the Wolves prior to his release.
For the Spurs, Martin produced numbers of 6.2 points, 1.8 boards, and 0.8 dimes per game in 16.3 minutes of playing time a night in only 16 games. He also played five playoff games for the five-time NBA champions, averaging 4.4 points in just 9.8 minutes per game.
The former Western Carolina standout is currently an unrestricted free agent and rumors have emerged that several teams are interested in acquiring his services for the next season.
Among those who are rumored to be keen on signing Martin are the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, and the Bulls.
With Martin, Chicago is getting another 30-something veteran that can bring forth much-needed experience off the bench. If the rumor turns out to be true, then it is a clear indication that the team is not yet going through the process of rebuilding but only of retooling.
Inquisitr reported that Bulls general manager Gar Forman initially said that the team intends to become "younger and more athletic" next season. But with the current crop of veterans they signed in free-agency, it looks like the plan had been amended.
Meanwhile, Sportsblog's All About Knicks believed that Phil Jackson and company are also considering to add Martin to their roster after losing Langston Galloway to the New Orleans Pelicans this summer.
At the moment, New York has 12 players under contract, which means there are three spots left to fill up. The team's shooting guard depth is decent with Courtney Lee, Sasha Vujacic, and Justin Holiday, and so their interest in Martin may not be that much as compared to the Bulls.
Chicago presently has Wade and rookies Denzel Valentine and Paul Zipser as their two guards, a lineup that evidently lacks experience and outside shooting, which, needless to say, is an ideal destination for Martin.
