KJ Martin to Join CBA’s Ningbo Rockets
kj-martin-to-join-ningbo-rockets
Free-agent forward KJ Martin intends to sign with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, according to Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia.
Selected 52nd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, the 6’6” combo forward spent the past five seasons in the league before being released by the Utah Jazz in late September. His $8 million contract for the 2025/26 season was fully non-guaranteed.
Martin has appeared in 309 NBA games, starting 77, and owns career averages of 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds across 21.6 minutes per night while shooting 54.5% from the field, 32.9% from three-point range, and 67.3% at the foul line.
He opened his career with three seasons in Houston, then moved to the Clippers during the 2023 offseason. A few months later, Los Angeles sent him to Philadelphia as part of the James Harden deal. Last season, the 24-year-old split 43 games between the 76ers and Jazz, averaging 6.4 points and 2.9 boards in 21.2 minutes. Although Philadelphia technically traded him to Detroit ahead of February’s deadline, he was promptly rerouted to Utah in the Jimmy Butler blockbuster.
Known for his energy and athleticism, Martin did not secure another NBA contract after Utah waived him this fall. The upcoming campaign with Ningbo will mark his first stint overseas. He is the son of former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin.
Source: Hoops Rumors
