Before the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season began, media reports indicated that third-year forward KJ Martin was open to being traded away from Houston. With the Rockets drafting highly touted forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason in the 2022 first round, there was understandable apprehension regarding his long-term role.
Eleven games into a new season, that situation appears to be changing. Now playing frequently as a small forward and on the wing, Martin is averaging career highs in scoring (11.3 points) and minutes (25.3), and he’s started three times. He has scored 17 or more points in three of his last four outings, including 21 points on 57.1% shooting and 50% on 3-pointers in Monday’s win at Orlando. The Rockets were plus-14 in Martin’s 26 minutes, best of any player on either team.
