This evening, Woj reported that Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Kevin Martin agreed to a four-year, $28 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, trading in yearly title challenges for nigh-unbearable winters, and with any luck, a slew of early playoff exits.
Martin was traded just last year in the blockbuster James Harden trade that sent the former Thunder guard to the Houston Rockets. Harden blossomed last year as Houston's star, while Martin provided good scoring off the bench for the Thunder. But with Martin gone, Oklahoma City doesn't have much to show for the Harden trade, and will likely have to turn to an unproven Jeremy Lamb (acquired in the Harden trade), Reggie Jackson, or free agent like Dorell Wright for another offensive perimeter threat.
Martin's reconnecting with ex-coach Rick Adelman in Minnesota, who drafted the 30-year-old to Sacramento in 2004, then coached him again with the Rockets from 2010-2012. Under Adelman, Martin developed into a dangerous scorer, though until his stint with OKC, his teams have always sucked.
Thunder wanted to re-sign Martin, but couldn't offer him much money to do so since they're also trying to avoid being hit with luxury tax. In addition to Adelman, Martin will combine with Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love, and Nikola Peković in what's starting to vaguely resemble a decent starting five. Godspeed.
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