NBA Rankings: Ranking the Possible Destinations for Kenyon Martin

According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, there are five teams actively pursuing free-agent forward Kenyon Martin.

The teams pursuing him are the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks.

While some teams are better fits for Martin than others, there's no real frontrunner emerging yet, even though sources report that Martin has spoken with executives from each team.

Ahead is a ranking of the possible destinations for Martin, based on where his talents would fit best.

5. Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers start off the rankings of Martin's possible destinations mainly because they already have a player that plays like Kenyon Martin, by the name of Reggie Evans.

I know Martin is a more polished offensive talent than Evans, but at the age of 34, Martin's production is on the decline, making him more of a defensive threat than a legitimate offensive one.

While signing Martin would add depth to the defensive side of the ball, I don't see Martin's offensive skill set fitting smoothly into the Clipper's fast-paced offense.  Martin would most likely slow the Clippers offense down, which would hinder the fast-paced style of game they like to play.

I won't say I'd be shocked if Kenyon Martin puts on a Clippers jersey in the 2011-12 NBA season, because the Clippers can offer Martin $2.5 million, which will be enticing. But if they do they'll be making a mistake.

4. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks need a lot more help than Kenyon Martin can bring to their team.  The Knicks brought a legitimate defensive force to their roster in Tyson Chandler this offseason, and that really hasn't panned out like the Knicks had hoped.

Kenyon Martin won't be able to bring the offensive presence in the paint that the Knicks need.  The Knicks also need maturity and leadership on their roster and that's without a doubt not one of Martin's strengths.

While Martin might very well end up in New York because they can offer him the mini-midlevel exception of $2.5 million, it wouldn't be a smart move for the Knicks.  New York needs to hold onto that money and hope that Baron Davis' return in the next few weeks can bring about the jumpstart that they desperately need.

3. Atlanta Hawks

Adding Kenyon Martin to their roster is an enticing move for the Atlanta Hawks after losing Al Horford to a shoulder injury for the next 3-4 months.  Losing Al Horford was a big hit for the Hawks, who were looking pretty dominant early on in the 2011-12 season.

Adding Kenyon Martin could be just what the doctor ordered for the Hawks, as they buy time until Horford returns.  Martin would have to either come off the bench for Josh Smith at the power forward position or play center, which wouldn't be too much of a stretch for Martin.  Adding him would give the Hawks more versatility on the offensive side of the ball than they have now with Zaza Pachulia at center.

The biggest hurdle facing the Hawks signing Martin are is the luxury tax issues that accompany the possibility of signing him.  While I don't think Martin will actually sign with the Hawks, I do think moving to Atlanta would be one of the best fits for Martin's hard-nosed style. 

2. San Antonio Spurs

There's no doubt that the San Antonio Spurs would benefit from adding Kenyon Martin to their roster.  Martin would be able to come off the bench to replace Tim Duncan or DeJuan Blair, while giving the Spurs a defensive boost at the same time.

Kenyon Martin would be a good fit in San Antonio because of the slower-paced, half-court style of offense the Spurs play.  Martin would bring a much-needed defensive presence to a Spurs team that is currently giving up an average of 95.7 ppg, which ranks 20th in the NBA.  The Spurs undoubtedly need some toughness on the defensive side of the ball, and that's exactly what Martin would bring to the team.

What will keep the Spurs from being able to land Martin is the fact that they most likely won't offer the $2.5 million mini-midlevel exception because of the luxury tax associated with it.  If Martin is interested in playing on a team that could contend for an NBA title, rather than just getting the most money, the Spurs wouldn't be a bad destination for him.

1. Miami Heat

Signing with the Miami Heat is the best chance that Kenyon Martin has of winning an NBA title this season, and that might very well be enough to make Martin the newest member of the Heatles.  

While the Heat don't have a perfect roster spot for Martin, he is versatile enough to fit into whatever role the Heat need him to.

Martin would most likely earn minutes replacing center Joel Anthony, Chris Bosh or Udonis Haslem, adding a nice offensive spark off the bench that the Heat could definitely benefit from.  Martin would also help solidify a Miami Heat defense that is currently giving up an average of 96.4 ppg, which ranks 23rd in the NBA.

Martin will have to decide whether the possibility of winning an NBA championship this year is more valuable to him than getting the $2.5 million mini-midlevel exception, because the Heat can only offer Martin the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million.  I'll be surprised if Martin signs with the Heat because of that lack of money, but if he does, he will be a perfect fit.