The Utah Jazz waived KJ Martin, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The six-foot-six wing generated 6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per contest in 21.2 minutes of floor time last season. He appeared in 43 games, splitting his time between the Jazz and the Philadelphia 76ers.
At 24, Martin represents a youthful option with intriguing upside. That makes him a match for what the Boston Celtics might be looking for to fill their final roster spot.
Of course, the franchise might remain patient on that front, a beneficial move for maximizing tax savings. However, the five-year veteran has the size, athleticism, and two-way potential to prove a worthwhile signing. Martin would join Boston's "Stay Ready Group," a.k.a. its extended rotation. Aligning with the organization's intention of operating at a faster pace, he could convert his opportunity on a low-cost deal into a multi-year partnership.
The case against signing KJ Martin
One of the primary reasons the Celtics might pass on bringing the California native on board is his struggles from behind the arc. The former second-round selection is a career 32.9 percent three-point shooter. That's on a low-volume output of 1.8 attempts per tilt.
The 2024-25 campaign highlighted the dramatic variance that can occur at such a small rate. In 24 appearances with the 76ers, Martin made 38.1 percent of his shots from three-point range. However, he was averaging fewer than 1.0 tries per game. In 19 matchups in a Jazz uniform, he hoisted 1.9 attempts from beyond the arc. He converted those at an 18.9 percent clip.
Furthermore, Martin has spent much of his career dealing with inconsistent opportunities. That doesn't just impact production, but it can also stunt one's growth. He could use his size, length, and athleticism to be a defensive menace on and off the ball. However, he hasn't demonstrated that consistently enough to avoid bouncing from team to team. It's the type of growth that also could have led to more opportunities with other franchises.
Passing on him because Utah did isn't sophisticated reasoning. However, the Jazz could use a young, athletic wing of Martin's nature. That an organization featuring Danny and Austin Ainge declined the opportunity to continue working with him may serve as a signal that Boston should do the same.
Bringing in Martin on a training camp deal, if he's open to that, is worthwhile. It could lead to a successful partnership. However, from wanting to gain financial and roster-building flexibility to questions about his fit offensively, the Celtics have valid reasons to pass on signing him.