Kenyon Martin fit in very well when the Knicks picked him up mid-season last campaign —he averaged 7.2 points a game, shot 60 percent from the field (usually finishing passes around the rim) and was a quality defender in the paint.
The Knicks wanted him back, the only question was price.
Martin settled for one as the Knicks and Martin have reached a deal, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. This is a one year deal for the league minimum of $1.4 million, Woj reports.
There were other teams interested in Martin such as the Lakers and Clippers, but they also were offering the veteran minimum. For Martin, why leave a spot where he is comfortable and knows he gets good minutes if teams aren’t really paying enough to make it worth his while?
Martin did well defensively filling in at points for Tyson Chandler last season. With the addition of Metta World Peace and a healthy Iman Shumpert all season the Knicks have some pieces to improve their defense next season (which is the end of the floor they need to get better on if they want to take steps forward).