May 19, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Kenyon Martin (2) defends a shot by San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semi finals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Staples Center. San Antonio Spurs won 96-86. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

This, frankly, makes no sense.  The Celtics have a pressing need for some interior defense and toughness, and Martin could provide that.  He’s obviously not the K-Mart of his youthful days.  He’s no longer a good shot blocker, and at this point the most he could offer is something to the tune of 7 to 8 points per game and 4 or 5 boards a game.

Tell me that wouldn’t help.

Martin has been in the league and knows what it takes to win.  Besides that, he is 34, not 44.  He’s no older than Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett, yet teams—including the Celtics—are ignoring him.  His agent says he is “biting at the bit for an opportunity.”

So why won’t Danny Ainge give him one?  Why won’t any NBA GM?

Sure, Martin had a difficult relationship with his last coach, LA Clippers Vinny Del Negro.  But Doc Rivers has a way with players, and players respect Doc.  I doubt Martin would act up on the Celtics.

And they’re foolish for not reaching out to him.

July 16, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Brazil guard Leandro Barbosa (10) dribbles the ball against the United States in the second half at Verizon Center. Team USA won 80-69. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Weeks ago, Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge said he would not pursue a veteran guard to back up Rajon Rondo.  It appears since that time, Ainge did a ’180′ and decided to go after one after all.  That choice resulted in the signing of Leandro Barbosa, which was just reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! via Twitter.

Barbosa is not a true point.  He’s a shoot first point guard who often spends time at shooting guard.  It could be said, in fact, that Barbosa is a redundancy of the role already occupied by Jason Terry.  However, Barbosa can adjust to play a more pass-first role due to the fact that the C’s already have plenty of shooters.  It will require adjustment on Barbosa’s part to occupy this role, but he’s been in the league for nine seasons and has the versatility necessary to play the point in a pinch.

Barbosa will not go dropping dimes like Rondo.  His career high for assists per game capped out at four per game in the 2006-07 season, when he also averaged 18 points per game playing for the Phoenix Suns.

Can Barbosa regain that form?

Last season, he played only 22 games for the Indiana Pacers and saw under 20 minutes per night.    He hasn’t seen more than 30 minutes per game since the 2006-07 season, but he is still only 29 years old, so theoretically it shouldn’t be declining talents and athleticism that are holding Barbosa back.

In fact, it’s quite possible that nothing is holding the Brazilian back.  He could end up being one of the best cheap signings of the offseason, though the contract terms have not been released yet.  He lends further versatility to a Boston backcourt, and truth be told, he’s an upgrade from the now-retired Keyon Dooling.  Barbosa doesn’t have quite the same defensive skills of Dooling, but the upgrade in shooting ability and speed will serve the C’s well—especially since they already have a host of very good defenders in the backcourt, not the least of which are lockdown defenders Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee.

Any deficiencies on Barbosa’s part defensively will be covered by Bradley and Lee.  And what he’ll bring in shooting and ball handing ability will more than compensate for it.  Danny Ainge said he wasn’t going to sign a veteran two-guard, but C’s fans will be quite pleased he did, assuming Barbosa can remain healthy.  He hasn’t played more than 70 games since 2008-09, and questions regarding that fragility are what caused him to go unsigned for so long, it would seem.

If Barbosa remains healthy, Ainge just scored another underrated signing.

May 13, 2012; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Kenyon Martin (2) dunks the ball as Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) defends during the second half of game seven in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at FedEx Forum. The Clippers won 82-72. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE

Per CNLS radio, the Celtics have expressed an interest in NBA veteran Kenyon Martin.

The move could be just what the Celtics have needed.  Martin would bring veteran leadership in the front court, some more toughness, and energy off the bench.  Just what the Doc ordered.

The 11-year NBA veteran and one-time All-Star spent last season playing for the L.A. Clippers, after heading back to the NBA following his tenure in China.  Martin had signed the biggest contract in Chinese league history, and then went on to average 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 22 minutes of play a night for the stacked Clippers squad.

Even at age 34, Martin has a good bit left in the tank — if he can stay healthy.  Martin has not played 70+ games in a season since 2007-08, and the C’s realize that their existing depth in the form of Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo, Jason Collins, and Chris Wilcox will still prove elemental in their player rotation.

Martin is just the icing on the cake.

He’s not going to come out and post a 15 & 8 like he did earlier in his career (to state the obvious), but the Celtics need his intangibles and experience.

Martin will have to earn his minutes, just like the rest of the C’s bigs, but his biggest influences may be in the huddle and the locker room.  His enthusiasm and drive to win would prove to be crucial for a Celtics team that is on the cusp — still.  Most importantly, the undersized power forward could even play spot minutes at center, the Celtics most shallow position on the depth chart.

Last season, Martin was impressed with the Clippers and felt they could win a championship.  He’d find similar sentiments in his heart if playing with Rajon Rondo and the talented mix of Celtics veteran and youngsters, a unique collage of NBA talents at different points in their careers.  Martin is on the tail end of his, but teams still want him, and Danny Ainge has lined up in that list of suitors.