Jason Kidd has attempted to distance himself from the Nets (while still saying a lot about them) since leaving Brooklyn for Milwaukee.
But the Bucks coach can’t completely break ties with the franchise.
He’s reuniting with former Nets (and Knicks) teammate Kenyon Martin, a deal that has been in the works.
The Milwaukee Bucks are signing former All-Star power forward Kenyon Martin to a 10-day contract, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Bucks have committed to add Martin to their roster this week, perhaps as early as Thursday, after letting a player go to open up a spot.
It’s hard to see whom the Bucks would drop to open a roster spot. They have a deep team, 1-15.
Nate Wolters is on a minimum contact with next season unguaranteed, and he has fallen from the rotation. But he made my All-Rookie second team just last year. It seems far too soon to give up on him.
Damien Inglis won’t play this season due to injury. But you don’t draft a young, raw player at No. 31 and waive him during his first season – unless his injury is that devastating.
Another player the Bucks took high in the second round, No. 36 pick Johnny O’Bryant III, could be a candidate if not for the same reason they’re signing Martin. They need big-man help.
Kendall Marshall is also on an expiring minimum contract. I don’t think Milwaukee would waive him, but I didn’t think the Lakers would last summer, either. I’d guess that move says more about the Lakers than Marshall, but it’s possible teams that see him up close don’t value him quite as much as outsiders do. Considering the Bucks guaranteed Marshall’s salary for this season well before necessary, I doubt they’ll waive him.
Perhaps, they won’t need to waive anyone.
As Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated pointed out, Milwaukee could qualify for a hardship waiver.
The NBA allows teams to temporarily add a 16th player if three conditions are met:
1. The team has four injured or ill players.
The Bucks seem to qualify:
- Jabari Parker (torn ACL)
- Larry Sanders (personal reasons that are health-related)
- Ersan Ilyasova (broken nose)
- Inglis (fractured foot)
Sanders, whose reason for absence has been mysterious, is the only potential hiccup.
2. The injured or ill players miss at least three games.
No problem there, as long as Sanders qualifies for the first condition. Parker, Sanders, Ilyasova and Inglis have each missed more than three games.
3. The injured or ill players “will continue to be unable to perform playing services due to injury or illness.”
This will be the toughest condition to meet.
Parker and Inglis are out for the season, so that’s easy. But the Bucks have not set clear public timetables for Ilyasova’s and Sanders’ returns.
Ultimately, this will be Adam Silver’s call, and he can assign a physician to assesses the players and provide guidance.
If Milwaukee can add Martin without waiving anyone, sure, why not? He’ll add a little depth and toughness to a team jockeying for playoff position.
But if the Bucks must waive someone, I’d be against this move. Everyone on their roster is more valuable than the 37-year-old journeyman, and they’re still building toward their future. Ten days of Kenyon Martin isn’t worth even a small sacrifice in long-term outlook.
