Former Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin has been playing overseas since the NBA lockout eliminated the first month and a half of the season. His contract was going to force him to stay in China until the Chinese season ended, but now it appears he’s been granted basketball clemency from FIBA.
According to Royce Young of CBS Sports, Martin reached a buyout agreement in December, and might be headed back to the NBA sooner than expected.
“Kenyon Martin has received a surprising early clearance from FIBA that will allow him to return to an NBA team, according to multiple reports. Martin signed with a Chinese team during the lockout and because of Chinese Basketball Association rules would not be allowed to return to the NBA until his team’s season ended.
Martin, however, reached a buyout agreement with his team in December and basically has just been sitting and waiting for their season to finish, which should happen in about two weeks.”
Martin has reportedly received interest from a variety of NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers. Last season in Denver Martin averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in 48 appearances for the Nuggets.
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The Lakers may be relatively deep up front, but when it comes to their reserves they are a bit thin. Josh McRoberts, who has been productive this season, isn’t much of an offensive threat and has a history with injuries. While Martin wouldn’t be able to provide much offensively, he could give the Lakers reserves some help on the boards, which they currently need.