As general manager Danny Ainge looks to shake up his roster before the Feb. 18 trade deadline, his latest target is rumored to be Sacramento Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin.
The Kings (16-34) are going nowhere this season, and they stand to benefit from acquiring Allen’s $19.7 million expiring contract as they continue to rebuild. But according to CBSSports.com’s Ken Berger, Kings GM Geoff Petrie will need more incentive than that to trade the 27-year-old Martin, whom the Celtics likely view as a long-term solution at shooting guard.
At 6-foot-7, 185 pounds, Martin is one of the tallest guards in the NBA, and he’s averaging 20.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this season. However, Martin has been wildly inconsistent since returning from a wrist injury on Jan. 15. In his last 13 games, he has topped 20 points six times, yet he’s also been held to single-digit points on four occasions.
The 26th-overall pick in the 2004 draft, Martin has two-plus years remaining on a five-year, $55 million extension he signed with the Kings prior to the 2007 season. For that reason, Petrie is reluctant to listen to offers for Martin, and figures to demand significantly more than just Allen’s expiring contract in return.
The Kings are expected to ask for a "prolific big-man" to be included in the deal. Since the Celtics will hesitate to further dismantle their current squad, a third team likely will have to be brought into the talks.
Hence, it will take a considerable effort for Ainge to bring Martin — the 15th-ranked scorer in the NBA in points per game — to Boston.
