Knicks sign Kenyon Martin for the rest of the season

The Knicks signed Kenyon Martin for the rest of the season. (Sam Forencich/Getty Images)

ByBen Golliver

The Knicks announced Friday that forward Kenyon Martin has been signed through the rest of the 2012-13 season. The move comes after Martin was first signed to a pair of 10-day contracts beginning in February.

Martin's signing isn't surprising in the least. Amar'e Stoudemire was recently lost for roughly six weeks due to his second knee debridement of the season, forcing Martin into action in a larger role than originally anticipated.

The veteran forward, who went unsigned until March, is averaging 5.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18.8 minutes in six appearances for New York. He played 30 minutes for the Knicks in a Thursday night loss to the Blazers, as New York was without Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler because of knee injuries. The No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft has evolved into a snarling, physical rebounder/enforcer type in recent years, and he fits right in with an aging frontcourt reserve group that includes the likes of Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas.

New York is currently the Eastern Conference's No. 3 seed with a record of 38-25. Martin played meaningful postseason minutes for the Clippers last season, averaging 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11 playoff appearances, but he was forced to look in the mirror earlier this season when the Clippers moved on without him and he wasn't able to catch on anywhere else as a free agent.