This year’s trade deadline week has brought a lot of chaos into the NBA. Luka Doncic’s unexpected transfer shocked the world, whereas Jimmy Butler remains at the Miami Heat. Teams seem more intent on switching things up this year than ever. And the Philadelphia 76ers‘ KJ Martin may be the next player on the chopping block.

You see, KJ Martin was listed as questionable for the 76ers’ game tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Not surprising, considering he’s only played 24 games this season, right? Well, just a few hours later, in a subsequent report, his status was updated to OUT. The reason listed was “trade pending.”

Philly is apparently weighing multiple options for Martin. And they expect a deal to be finalized by tomorrow, per Jake Fischer. Not long ago in July 2024, KJ Martin signed a 2-year, $16 million contract. However, the guaranteed amount was only his first year’s salary of $7,975,000. This bodes well for any team that may want to sign him without breaking the bank at the same time.

KJ now joins his former teammate, Caleb Martin, as the next player to be traded out of the Sixers in this trade window, though his move isn’t final yet. Caleb, on the other hand, just moved to the Dallas Mavericks. He was a part of a deal that saw Quentin Grimes join the Sixers. The Sixers were also given a second-round pick for the 2025 NBA Draft, not a bad deal all things considered.

The Sixers already have a roster depleted by injuries. So we get why they feel trading KJ Martin is the right option. But how does Martin himself feel about this? Let’s see.

KJ Martin addressed these trade rumors earlier; said he was happy in Philadelphia

Less than two weeks ago, the trade rumors around KJ Martin began to gather steam. And it was at that time that he chose to address these rumors, letting us in on how he felt about a potential move away from Philadelphia. At the time, Martin was still out, recovering from a left foot stress reaction.

He reminisced about the time the Houston Rockets traded him to the LA Clippers. Who, in turn, shifted him onto the Sixers as a part of the notorious James Harden trade last season. “I feel like that was probably, like the craziest experience for me,” said Martin.

“It was tough being moved around…Obviously, playing back home and leaving and coming to a place I really don’t know much about, but I’ve been comfortable here, and whatever happens, I’m happy here,” revealed Martin. KJ seemed in a good headspace amid the rumors of his impending move away from the city of brotherly love.

Even though he did not play much this season, he looked sharp every time he did. Martin’s energy and athleticism are sure to benefit any team he ends up joining. As he enters the final stages of recovery from his foot injury, the time has come for KJ Martin to remind the NBA of his talent!