NBA Rumors: Detroit Pistons Trade Pickup Could Move Again

KJ Martin isn't guaranteed to stick around in Detroit?

Nov 30, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) dribbles defended by Philadelphia 76ers forward KJ Martin (1) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

KJ Martin is joining a couple of other former Philadelphia 76ers on the Detroit Pistons.

At least, that’s the case for now.

According to Omari Sankofa of Detroit Free Press, there is a chance Martin could be re-routed “before the dust settles.”

The Pistons aren’t done making deals ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

I'm told there's a chance KJ Martin ends up being re-routed from Detroit before the dust settles. Pistons are working multiple angles on the trade deadline front.

But for now, they've have landed a 24-year-old wing shooting 38% from 3 this season.

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) February 5, 2025

Martin joins Detroit, wrapping up his second season with the Sixers. He finishes his run with 24 games played this year. Before going down with an injury, Martin produced six points and three rebounds per game. He made 62 percent of his shots from the field, averaging 38 percent from three on nearly one attempt per game.

Wednesday’s trade marks the third time Martin has been traded in under two years.

Dec 6, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward KJ Martin (1) looks on against the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Ahead of the 2023-2024 NBA season, the Houston Rockets cut ties with Martin, sending him to the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite spending training camp and the preseason with the Clippers, Martin only played in two games before LA sent him packing to Philadelphia.

The young forward was part of a package that helped the Clippers land James Harden.

Coming to Detroit, Martin has 290 games under his belt. 68 of those appearances came as a starter. The veteran has posted averages of nine points, four rebounds, and one assist. He’s made 55 percent of his shots from the field, hitting on 34 percent of his threes on nearly two attempts per game.

Detroit is expected to utilize its cap space, acting as multi-team move facilitators this year. It’s unclear if that factor will have an impact on Martin or not, but he doesn’t seem to be guaranteed to make his way to Michigan just yet.

The trade deadline goes into place at 3 PM ET on Thursday.

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