Rockets small forward Kenyon Martin Jr. has endeared himself to Houston with his play this season. As we’ve previously reported, the team is considering a variety of options for how it can retain the 6’6″ swingman into next season.
Because Martin has met the required “starter criteria” to become a restricted free agent, his qualifying offer has increased significantly, from approximately $2.3M to $5,216,324. The Rockets also have a $1.93M team option for the 2023/24 season that they could opt to exercise instead, though that would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle reports that, while the Rockets are weighing their various options, Martin is trying to focus only on what he can control.
“If there’s a conversation that happens between us, that’s the most that can happen,” Martin said. “There’s nothing I can really do to control that side of it. Whatever they want to do, whether it’s this year or next year, whatever it may be, that’s on them. I’m just here to play basketball and hope it happens for the future.”
“Obviously, it’s important to me, contract extension and stuff like that,” Martin said. “There’s a lot of stuff that goes into it, the draft, a lot of stuff in the summer that goes into it. I can’t determine whether they’re going to … just wait until my fourth year is done. I’m just here to play and whether it’s this year or next year, I’m excited.”
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