KJ Martin: Who Is Newest Utah Jazz Wing?
Feb 6, 2025, 4:16 PM | Updated: 5:22 pm
KJ Martin #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers attempts a shot against Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – KJ Martin is headed to the Utah Jazz in a trade deadline deal with the Detroit Pistons.
The Jazz redirected the recently acquired Dennis Schroder to Detroit in exchange for Martin, Josh Richardson, and a 2028 second-round draft pick.
Richardson is expected to be waived by the Jazz, while Martin will report to Utah after the trade.
KJ Martin Traded To Jazz
Martin, 24, is in his fifth season in the NBA after beginning his career with the Houston Rockets in 2020.
The son of former number-one overall pick Kenyon Martin, KJ earned a spot in the Rockets rotation averaging 9.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in 45 appearances as a rookie.
In his third season, Martin averaged 12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 59 starts, before Houston traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2023.
3 minutes of nasty @kj__martin dunks and blocks pic.twitter.com/h9Svm1c26B
— David Astramskas (@redapples) January 6, 2024
Shortly after arriving in LA, Martin was traded to Philadelphia in the James Harden blockbuster, and signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the 76ers last summer. The wing’s $8 million salary for next season is non-guaranteed.
Martin has struggled to regain his early career momentum after leaving Houston, and despite improved shooting efficiency in Philadephia, has been a little-used player in Nick Nurse’s rotation.
What Type Of Player Is KJ Martin?
Standing 6-foot-6, with a 215-pound frame, Martin has the prototypical size for a modern NBA wing but is slightly undersized when playing at the bigger frontcourt positions.
Martin’s superior athleticism has allowed him to carve out a role in the NBA as a slasher, transition scorer, and rebounder.
Though the newest Jazzman is shooting 38 percent from three this season, he’s a career 33 percent shooter, and his jump shot remains a work in progress.
thank you, @kj__martin ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/cAiPv9qM1V
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 6, 2025
Martin is a rudimentary playmaker on the perimeter and is better suited finishing opportunities than creating for others.
Defensively, the wing has the tools to be an impact player but hasn’t earned that distinction in the NBA. While his father was one of the best defenders in the league during his prime, the younger Martin has yet to match that level of performance.
For Martin to stick in the NBA, he’ll have to maintain his improved three-point shooting numbers, while improving as a defender.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
