NBA Rumors: Knicks Reportedly Considering Adding Kenyon Martin

With Rasheed Wallace hobbled with a pesky foot injury, the New York Knicks are reportedly looking to Kenyon Martin to possibly help bolster their front court. 

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that, according to league sources, the Knicks are currently doing their homework on Martin and are "showing a renewed interest" in the free-agent veteran, who has not played a game this season. 

The 6'9" forward's career has spanned 12 seasons in the NBA. He spent last season with the Clippers playing in 42 games while averaging 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Those are the lowest numbers in those categories for any season of his career. 

Martin is clearly not the player he once was, but he still has value. The 35-year-old is a savvy veteran with a decent shot and a solid interior defensive presence. That last part would be a welcome addition to the Knicks because their defense has suffered without Wallace. 

Wallace has, as ESPN's Ian Begley reports, what is being described as a stress reaction in his left foot, and he has missed 12 straight games as a result. Begley shares that the Knicks are being cautious with this injury due to the fear of it turning into a stress fracture.  

The Knicks went 16-4 with Wallace. In those games, they allowed an average of just 93.6 points. Without Wallace, they are just 7-7 and have allowed 102.4 points per game.

Martin could help bring the same kind of intensity and intelligence to the defensive end as Wallace, and the Knicks would be wise to add him. 

This will allow them to continue to be patient with Wallace, and there is very little risk involved. As Wojnarowski points out, according to sources, Martin is "open-minded about the possibility of accepting a 10-day contract to get the opportunity to prove his value to the Knicks."

The Knicks can't lose in these circumstances. At best, they get a valuable addition to the bench that helps solidify their defense. At worst, they get a washed-up player that they could freely walk away from in just 10 days.