Hawks meet with rep for Kenyon Martin
The Hawks met Thursday with a representative for center Kenyon Martin, according to a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking.
Martin, 34, averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 48 games for the Nuggets last season. The 11-year veteran signed a one-year deal to play in China with Xinjiang during the NBA lockout last summer. He is eligible to return to the NBA following the Chinese season in several weeks.
Martin has reportedly been offered a contract by the Heat. ESPN recently reported that he is also interested in signing with the Clippers, Spurs and Knicks, along with the Hawks and Heat.
Martin could make a decision by the end of the week. According to reports FIBA has cleared Martin, allowing him to sign with an NBA team.
The Hawks have used a combination of Zaza Pachulia, Jason Collins and Ivan Johnson at center since the loss of Al Horford last month to a torn pectoral muscle. While the Hawks are 9-2 in the 11 games without Horford, teams with dominant big men can present problems. Martin (6-foot-9, 240) could help in that regard.
The Hawks could probably only offer Martin the veteran minimum in salary. They do offer a team that has made the playoffs the past four seasons, including three straight trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals. They are currently tied for third in the conference behind the Bulls and Sixers.
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201 comments Add your comment
kwooden
February 2nd, 2012
3:36 pm
I would take Martin over Pryz or Wallace for sure. Martin can still play and is in shape. He just made a slight mistake by signing with the Chinese club, thinking the NBA would be out of business for the year. Since most of the stuff I read says Kaman is an impossibility for us right now, I would definitely take Martin. If he’s our second center, the bench will just have to play a lot faster.
Slimjr
February 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
Magic City would treat him like a King….
Hmmm
February 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
DO IT, SUND. THIS TEAM CAN ALWAYS USE MORE TOUGHNES AND MORE GOONS. LIKE KG SAID THE PLAYOFFS ARE A BAR FIGHT LOL.
tckr83
February 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
You don’t have to be a big guy to get rebounds… ask Chuck Hayes. It’s about positioning and I don’t think, check that… i know that k-mart has ever been one to shy away from contact. Who even said the Hawks would play him against opponents centers? Martin would be another matchup luxury for when an opponent employs a smaller lineup. Even if he was against a body that resembles an nba “center”, it would only be for a minute or two here or there.
Hmmm
February 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
“Magic City would treat him like a King….”
ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET FOR HIM LOL
Section 303
February 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
Guys, do yourself a favor and read this article I linked below. Grantland, which is Bill Simmons’ website, has been running “The Ivan Johnson Chronicles”. The one linked is the 3rd installment. An interview with Ivan. The things he says about his mother are touching, to say the least. Check it out…
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/15724/ivan-johnson-on-ivan-johnson
Slimjr
February 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
Chuck Hayes has great Basketball IQ, instincts, and a very strong base! Thats why hes so effective at 6′6″..
He’s special….
Rob
February 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
Nice piece on Ivan Section 303, I think its funny when Bob Rathbun and Nique call him 9 to 5 because its true. On the Kenyon thing, it isnt about height, cuz if it was Collins would be beastin with the boards. Lets get some toughness in here to go along with Ivan.
Slimjr
February 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
Magic City would probably bus in some Girls from south Beach for the King to make it rain….lol
Hmmm
February 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
TO THOSE OF YOU WHO OPPOSE THIS MOVE, ASK YOURSELF WHO ARE THE EAST POWER FORWARDS THAT K-MART WILL GO AGAINST
BOOZER?
BOSH?
FADING KG?
HANSBROUGH?
BRAND?
RYAN ANDERSON?
SO UMMM WHICH OF THOSE DUDES IS GONNA INTIMIDATE K-MART?
Blodus
February 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
Trade Marvin for Kaman you stupid GM
Slimjr
February 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
Kaman,Kaman Kaman
leedsatlanta
February 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
If the Hawks had 5 players with hearts as big as Ivan’s, they would be world champions!
Grandad
February 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
Anyone who comes in;
needs to understand;
the Hawks are 16 & 6 as they stand.
Message to newcomer:
the Hawks are not calling in the Cavalry.
Neither are they calling in the Calvary.
The Team needs neither a Horse Soldier nor a Savior !
The Hawks need only a gifted Player who will ‘`mesh`’ with his Team !
tckr83
February 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
If the Hornets traded Kaman for Marvin… I doubt Sound would be the one everyone is calling stupid, that would be the GM of the Hornets new title. Salaries don’t match anyway.
DS
February 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
Slimjr are you SLB?
Rob
February 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
Slimjr, I agree that Kaman would be a great addition. I just do not know if we could when we trade Marvin unless Joe slides to small forward and starting Kirk at the 2. but im sure we would have to give up Kirk in the same trade.
Blodus
February 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
Marvin, Jason Collins, + 2nd round pick. Hawks don’t know how to utilize their 2nd round picks, so it wont matter.
C: Kaman
PF: Josh
SF: Joe
SG: Kirk
G: Jeff
a complete line up. Good offense and defense at every position.
Hmmm
February 2nd, 2012
3:59 pm
NO WHAT THE HAWKS NEED IS A MENTALITY TO PUSH BACK WHEN ANOTHER PLAYOFF TEAM TRIES TO PUSH THEM. SO FAR I SEE TWO CURRENT PLAYERS WHO AIN’T PUTTIN’ UP WITH THE BS — ZAZA AND IVAN. EVERYBODY ELSE IS EITHER QUESTIONABLE OR UNTESTED. ADD KMART AND YOU’RE DAMN NEAR THE 90s KNICKS. ALL WE’D NEED IS FOR DREW TO INSTITUTE A NO PLAYUP RULE LIKE RILEY LOL
strick
February 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
would Kaman stay healthy? giving away Marvin or kirk for a player with past health concerns, isnt something that interests me.
Melvin
February 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
If K-Mart leaves ATL today without signing a contract or at least a verbal committment then we can hang it up. He’s next return to ATL will be with another team jersey on.
Hmmm
February 2nd, 2012
4:01 pm
OH AND STACKHOUSE. HE’S CERTIFIED TOO. LOL
Blodus
February 2nd, 2012
4:03 pm
If this team gets kicked out of first round, then its rebuilding time all over. They have no cap space to do anything major.
Ra'mon
February 2nd, 2012
4:03 pm
Anyone who says adding K’Mart to the roster for the veteran’s minimum isn’t a good idea, is seriously on something good. Right now at the moment, Vlad is the backup PF to Josh, because Ivan is backing up Zaza. If Vlad comes in, and his shot isn’t falling, you have no one else to goto to get rebounds or defend the post. Kenyon Martin only averaged 6.2 rebounds last season because his minutes dropped by 9 minutes compared to the season before when he averaged 9.4 rebounds. So if K’Mart is able to come in the game and give 6-7 rebounds in a reserve role every game, that will be huge. And this move is even more about the playoffs. In the playoffs, you now have Josh, Al, Zaza, K’Mart, Ivan, and Vlad to add the most depth the Hawks have had since the 80s, to go along with the most depth in the back court the Hawks have had since the 80s as well.
New Birth
February 2nd, 2012
4:04 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTA7ARNx8xs
This is what will bring Martin to ATL
tckr83
February 2nd, 2012
4:04 pm
What are the Hornets going to do with Ariza and the young Al-Farouq Aminu (a top 10 pick) that they’re trying to develop if Marvin comes in?
The Hawks don’t have the pieces to trade for Kaman without blowing up a portion of the team if not more than that. Half of the Hawks team isn’t even tradable until some time in March as they were just signed before the season started. The Hawks would have to trade other players (starters) as New Orleans just doesn’t need a small forward.
Rufus1
February 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm
PPL who want to trade Marvin, need to remember…
The East is about BIG, PHYSICAL wing players…Granger, Iggy, Deng, Wade and Lebron. If you don’t want your MAIN scoring option(Joe) to have to guard them every night…We need to keep Marvin, because I don’t think Green or Pargo can Handle them.
Blodus
February 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm
They can than trade Marvin to another team for draft picks if they dont need him.
tony
February 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Where did JJ found that killer instinct? The guy has been playing like a superstar of late. Keep it JJ…..I might become a fan of yours if you keep playing that way. Tough challenge tonight. Bring K.Martin to GA Sund.
honest_abe
February 2nd, 2012
4:10 pm
anbody else going to be at the game tonight? watch the hawks get wicked on the grizz.
tckr83
February 2nd, 2012
4:10 pm
It’s not that easy… they’ve been shopping marvin for years. No bites with his contract.
Ra'mon
February 2nd, 2012
4:11 pm
You guys know its funny though. Seven seasons ago, K’Mart, T Mac, Stack, and Collins would’ve won a title if they all played on the same team, lol.
Stack = Iguodala.
strick
February 2nd, 2012
4:12 pm
if the Hawks do not advance further in the playoffs then sure dumping Marvin, Josh, Al, or Joe to rebuild is totally justfied, but If you trade Marvin this year i nthe middle of the season for a washed up injury prone big man, it will be a huge mistake.
I like the makeup of this current team, with Al we are legit contenders, Adding a big would be great and help make this team even better but not at the expense of giving up players that have helped u get out to this great start
Rob
February 2nd, 2012
4:18 pm
I agree that you dont blow up the team unless the team fails in the playoffs again, ala la getting pushed out in 1st round, 2nd round withoutt taking it to 7 games or winning it. I think if the Hawks go 7 in the 2nd round, they will still blow the team up, or at least make “core” changing trades. I just dont want it to be another Isiah Rider Jim Jackson kind of trade.
Ken Strickland
February 2nd, 2012
4:30 pm
Rasheed Wallace was too lazy to get into gm shape when he was active with the Celtics. That’s why, as bad as they need frontline size and depth, they won’t give him a 2nd thought. Why would anyone think he’s in any kind of gm shape now? He certainly wouldn’t be in good enough shape to help anyone with this schedule, which is why he’s still LOOKING FOR A HOME. Can anyone give a reason why no team has bothered to offer Pryzbilla a contract at this point in the season?
As difficult as it might be for some of you to believe, the Hawks aren’t the only NBA team in need of Big man help/depth. So there has to be a reason for there unwillingness to offer RWallace or JPryzbilla a contract.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 2nd, 2012
4:31 pm
I have some sad news. The most reliable sports streaming site on the Internet, firstrow dot tv, has been shut down by the feds.
For those of you who live out of the area and stream Hawks games — or stream anything else — you can still use chanfeed dot com, lshunter dot tv, or forum dot wiziwig dot eu.
Jewish King of Israel, Eddie Long
February 2nd, 2012
4:33 pm
I hope we can contain Gasol
Crazy_88
February 2nd, 2012
4:36 pm
My gut feeling is that he’s going to the Clippers…all for the following reasons:
1. $$$$
2. They are a legit contender in the West.
3. He will play significant minutes backing up Blake Griffin
4. Chris Paul ( Big men love playing with him and he makes them look soooo good)
5. Chauncey Billups ( good friends and referrals go a long way these days it seems)
6. He owns a house in L.A.
7. Hollywood ( The Clippers are the hottest ticket in L.A.)
The Hawks can offer him a significant role backing up Josh Smith but that’s it…
doc
February 2nd, 2012
4:38 pm
glad to see someone made it back from puppy heaven to real professional ball talk than trying to pizz on little yeller jackets. dont know who is more psychotic tech or dog fans after visiting the schultz blog on the tech signing day they dont rival vol fans though. i had to live amidst them for 10 years. that is the only unattractive thing in east tn. only thing missing were fear the dear and phiily fan.
yup 303, been talking this game up on the blog for days, in fact the whole home stand. should be good. wish more folks were going, well, until i try to get a parking space or to it for that matter, wings at taco mac or a heiny inside.
doc
February 2nd, 2012
4:42 pm
yeah honest ill be there with myson, buy you a beer?
Ken Strickland
February 2nd, 2012
4:43 pm
I think it would be a gross mistake to think we need to break up our core and start rebuilding after the season. Our core is still young, considering the amount of experience they have, especially playoff experience. How long do you really thing it would take to rebuild a team with the individual talent of a PF like JSmith, an Allstar center like AHorford, and a 5 time Allstar like JJ. There’s nothing wrong with this team that another functional DEF minded center couldn’t fix.
Think of how much better the Celtics would be this yr if they still had Big Baby and the starting center GM Danny Ainge traded away.
honest_abe
February 2nd, 2012
4:43 pm
doc: sometimes i can’t resist. i have a lot of tech friends and we have the same arguments a million times a year. fun times.
if you see/more like hear a loud obnoxious korean guy that’s me… don’t forget to say whats up.
honest_abe
February 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
not sure where i’m sitting sis got my tickets but me and buddy will be there.. i’d be down to grab a beer.
Slimjr
February 2nd, 2012
4:47 pm
Keep voting in these same Clowns and soon they will be telling you when to take a piss and pick your big azz hairy nose!
Kross24
February 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Forget K-mart. Let’s see if we can get Vitaly Potapenko, Vin Baker, or George Muresan in this b word
Slimjr
February 2nd, 2012
4:51 pm
DS, SLB is in a class all by himself! But nice try…..
Buddy Grizzard
February 2nd, 2012
4:51 pm
“They need to be bringing in Rasheed Wallace and Joel Przybilla for workouts.” – Najeh
Przybilla’s agent has already said he will choose between the Heat and Bulls. The Hawks are not in the running for Przybilla:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-02-01/sports/chi-bulls-remain-in-mix-for-przybilla-20120201_1_twitter-kcjhoop-veteran-big-man-joel-przybilla
“Zaza and Collins won’t cut it in the playoffs.” – i_am_soulstar
Zaza is in the top 10 in playoff rebounding rate in two of the last three postseasons. That’s all players at all positions. Only 5 players have made the top 10 in two out of the last three postseasons. Zaza Pachulia is one of them.
On the other hand, given that Dwight can now face the basket and finish with either hand, I no longer think Jason Collins has a role on an NBA team, playoffs or otherwise.
“…his d is less than Josh” – Slimjr
Come on Slimjr… you can say the same thing about more than 90% of the league.
“Would bringing in Martin kill Ivan’s minutes?” – Section 303
It would decrease them, but more importantly it would help Ivan’s development by allowing him to get back to being a natural combo forward. He’s not a center, and playing him out of position at center is hurting his development.
“I don’t believe that this proposed move is a valid exercise in building on the current momentum” – ILL-Logical
Disagree. Yes, K-Mart is undersized for a center. But keep in mind we’re not asking him to be our starting center. We already have Zaza as our starting center. We recently watched him completely outplay Andrew Bogut, who is considered one of the top centers in the league. Watch how he plays tonight against Marc Gasol, also considered one of the top centers in the league.
But who would you rather have playing backup center… Kenyon Martin who can still rebound, or Jason Collins who can’t move his feet fast enough to box anybody out or jump high enough to outrebound a 6-0 point guard?
Rod from College Park
February 2nd, 2012
4:51 pm
strick,
“would Kaman stay healthy? giving away Marvin or kirk for a player with past health concerns, isnt something that interests me.”
You do realize that Marvin and Kirk are both coming off of offseason surgery, and can’t stay healthy either. Try another reason.
Slimjr
February 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
K-mart’s got a better shot with the Clippers…He aint comin……
LT
February 2nd, 2012
4:55 pm
I will be in Philips tonight!