The Indiana Pacers plan to bring in free-agent forward Cody Martin on a 10-day contract via the NBA’s hardship exception, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Martin, 30, spent his first five and a half seasons in Charlotte before the Hornets sent him to Phoenix at the February 2025 trade deadline in a deal that included Vasilije Micić heading to the Suns and Jusuf Nurkic going to Charlotte. The 6-6 wing averaged 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 48.2% from the field and 38.4% from three in 71 games for the Hornets during the 2021-22 campaign.
Persistent injuries limited Martin to just 35 contests over the next two years. He appeared in 53 games for the Hornets and Suns in 2024-25, but his shooting fell to 41.8% overall and 28.5% from deep. Phoenix waived him on June 30, and he has remained unsigned for more than four months.
Indiana has been hit hard by injuries early this season. Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Obi Toppin (foot), T.J. McConnell (hamstring), Bennedict Mathurin (foot), Kam Jones (back) and Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) have each missed at least the last three games. Haliburton is out for the season, and Toppin is expected to be sidelined until February. If at least three others are projected to miss two more weeks, the league can grant the Pacers a second hardship exception, enabling the club to keep Jeremiah Robinson-Earl—already signed under the rule—while adding Martin.
The hardship provision lets a team temporarily exceed the 15-man roster limit when at least four players are injured for an extended period. A fifth long-term injury can trigger a second exception.
Martin will earn $165,197 on the 10-day deal, while Indiana’s cap charge will be $131,970.
Source: Hoops Rumors
