The Sixers have wandered through the offseason with many questions surrounding them like buzzards. "Will Joel Embiid ever be healthy? Can Paul George bounce back? Will they re-sign Quentin Grimes?" And the one that might have been swept under the rug more than any other, "Who will be the team's starting power forward next season?"
Last season's nightmarish season saw that very question asked throughout. Before the season, the lineup was expected to contain Embiid, Maxey, George, Oubre, and veteran forward Caleb Martin—who ideally would have assumed the responsibilities in question.
As the year went on, the injuries mounted, and Martin saw himself dealt to Dallas for Quentin Grimes. The Sixers attempted several stop gaps, mostly Guerschon Yabusele, but there was also another who even began the year as a starter in the absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George.
That player was Kenyon (KJ) Martin Jr.
Martin started just seven games for the Sixers, playing in 24 total, but made an instant impact despite not exactly popping off the box score.
Eventually traded to the Detroit Pistons in a salary dumping move and then to the Utah Jazz just hours later, Martin has found himself on the outs as training camp approaches, and the team waived his non-guaranteed contract on Tuesday, Sept. 23
KJ Martin may have only played 480 minutes with the Sixers last season, but he made the most of every moment. Averaging 6.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 stocks (steals plus blocks), Martin increased his production in a more featured role alongside Tyrese Maxey. The pair developed a level of chemistry that was perhaps smoother than we've seen between Maxey and any other teammate, even Embiid.
Martin's efficiency skyrocketed, shooting 61.6% from the field and 38.1% from three—taking advantage of lob and corner three opportunities—while also providing value as a defender and a frequent flyer of the team's best transition offense.
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Last season, Nick Nurse frequently preached the idea of pushing the pace, even prior to the acknowledgment of the severity of Embiid's knee condition. Few players better executed his vision than KJ Martin.
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Martins' on/off stats were particularly impressive. The team boasted a positive net rating of 3.48 with him on the court and suffered a -7.74 rating without him. Both the team's offensive and defensive ratings were better with Martin on the court. The team also shot better from three and defended better both inside and outside he arc with Martin.
He's not a perfect player, a lack of size, willingness to shoot and ball handling add limitations to Martin's production, but as the Sixers approach the season without a true power forward on the primary roster Martin could certainly be argued as the best option the team realistically has available, which includes Paul George—who would obviously start regardless—and Trendon Watford who, while similar useful to Martin in the transition game, isn't the defender Martin is, a crucial need considering how the team played last season.
This isn't to say that all the Sixers' problems would be solved by bringing back Martin, but his chemistry and ability should not be taken for granted. The Sixers simply cannot afford to turn down a
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