The Minnesota Timberwolves are adding another body to the mix as they get ready for training camp, and this one comes with plenty of NBA experience.
KJ Martin has agreed to a deal with Minnesota, according to Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto, giving the former Philadelphia 76er a shot to earn a roster spot. The move comes as the Timberwolves close in on preseason, looking to build on a season that ended in the Western Conference Semifinals with a loss to the eventual NBA finalists, San Antonio Spurs.
Martin’s path back to the league has been a winding one. He last appeared in the NBA during the 2024-25 season, when he split time between Philadelphia and the Utah Jazz after a trade at the deadline. In his stint with the Sixers, the former second-round pick put up 4.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
That was a step down from his production in Houston, where he spent three seasons and averaged 10.5 points while seeing much heavier minutes. His role with the Rockets included 49 starts in the 2022-23 season.
Over his five NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz, Martin has averaged 8.6 points on 54.5% shooting and 4.0 rebounds.
Since his last NBA action, Martin has been playing for the Ningbo Rockets in the Chinese Basketball Association, where he was teammates with former Sixer Darius Bazley and current Sixer Tacko Fall.
Now he gets another crack at sticking in the NBA, with Minnesota giving him a chance to prove he belongs in the weeks ahead.
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Timberwolves Camp Battle Could Shake Up Minnesotas Back-End Roster
The Timberwolves have quietly filled out their training camp roster with a trio of newcomers in Norchad Omier, Drew Timme and KJ Martin, giving the front office a few more names to sort through as the season approaches. Omier and Timme come in as undrafted players with G League and limited NBA experience, while Martin brings the kind of prior NBA background that can make a back-end roster spot a little more interesting than it first appears.
Minnesota is looking at all of that talent in the context of a broader camp group that also includes additions like LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga, which should make for a more crowded evaluation process than usual. The real intrigue is how the Wolves sort the depth chart once the competition settles in, especially with the kind of two-way opening that can turn an overlooked camp invite into a real chance to stay. [Read more 🡒]