Milwaukee Bucks Trade Rumors: Looking At Kevin Martin?
By Adam McGee
As we arrive at deadline day Minnesota’s Kevin Martin is once again the source of Milwaukee Bucks trade rumors.
As the clock counts down to the trade deadline and it seems to grow less and less likely that the Milwaukee Bucks will make a move (don’t fall for that just yet though, we’ve been here before), the rumors surrounding the team have become a little less spectacular.
With no disrespect to Miles Plumlee, the idea of a straight up deal that sees him head to the Washington Wizards isn’t exactly going to set the pulses of Bucks fans racing.
Likewise, the latest rumor of an incoming for Milwaukee is a familiar one, yet the return in the deal isn’t going to jump off the page as a major win for many.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News:
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"Another name to watch should Thursday’s deadline pass without a deal is Minnesota’s Kevin Martin. The Timberwolves have tried to trade Martin for a year now, and considered buying him out last February before ultimately keeping him. Martin is 33 and doesn’t fit in the Wolves’ rebuilding plans, but there’s been no market for him, and he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.Dallas and Milwaukee, among others, has kicked the tires on him (as had Charlotte, before acquiring Courtney Lee) but with the possibility of him being waived after the trade deadline, there has not been much urgency to acquire him."
This of course isn’t the first time that Martin’s name has been mentioned in the same breath as the Bucks. Milwaukee’s reported interest could be sourced back at least as far as January when multiple sources reported that the Bucks were at least doing “due diligence” on the veteran shooting guard.
Bucks had exploratory trade interest in Wolves guard Kevin Martin, sources told Sheridan Hoops. One source called talks, "due diligence."
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 13, 2016
As Sean Deveney’s report mentioned above, the mechanics of a deal are not so straight forward. Martin isn’t necessarily going to be a free agent this summer as Deveney put it, as he has a player option to opt in for next season at $7.3 million.
With where Martin’s current ability seems to be at with Minnesota that would seem like a massive overpay, which is the reason teams have been hesitant to move for him over the last 12-18 months.
Related Story: Milwaukee Bucks Trade Rumors: Targeting Ricky Rubio?
For the Bucks you’d also have to ask just how much sense a deal for Martin would make. When the rumors surfaced in January the Bucks were in the middle of a mini revival under coach Joe Prunty, and all of a sudden the playoffs didn’t seem like such an unrealistic goal again.
In that sense a deal for a veteran who could shoot might have been appealing, but the chances of the playoffs are considerably slimmer now, and you’d have to hope that the front office understands that and makes sensible decisions accordingly.
There’s also this to consider.
Wolves' Kevin Martin is hopeful to be traded to a winning team as reward for his professionalism & mentoring of young teammates, source said
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 17, 2016
At 10 games below .500, Milwaukee are certainly not a winning team.
If they really do want Martin for whatever reason, there are important decisions to be weighed up. Trading for him now will likely put you on the books for his significant salary next season, where waiting on a potential buyout would potentially leave the team in a spot where they could be beaten out for his services by a playoff team.
NBA buyout crop has potential to be interesting if no trades materialize today for Kevin Martin, David Lee, J.J. Hickson, Roy Hibbert, etc.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 18, 2016
If I was Milwaukee at this point I’d back away as quickly as possible, but if their interest remains I’d say there are only two sensible options to take.
If you’re going to move for him now, you don’t do a trade without pulling back a nice young asset or draft pick with Martin. Minnesota have been eager to move him for a long time. Otherwise, sit back and wait to see how his buyout market looks.
Next: Rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves Interested In Miles Plumlee?
Will Martin become a Buck by Thursday afternoon? I’d say it’s unlikely but stranger things have happened.