Kenyon Martin Agrees to Deal with New York Knicks

Veteran big man Kenyon Martin is reportedly returning to the New York Knicks for another season.

UPDATE: Thursday, July 25, at 2:37 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

The Knicks made Martin's signing official via NBA.com:

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New York Knickerbockers Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has re-signed forward Kenyon Martin. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Martin, 6-9, 230-pounds, averaged 7.2 points, on 60.2-percent shooting, and 5.3 rebounds over 23.9 minutes in 18 games (11 starts) with New York this past season. In 12 post-season games (one start), he averaged 5.8 points, on 58.0-percent shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 1.42 blocks over 21.1 minutes. He originally signed the first of two consecutive 10-day contracts on Feb. 23, 2013 and then, for the remainder of the season on Mar. 15.

“Kenyon did a fantastic job for us once he signed in February,” Grunwald said. “He strengthened our frontline going into an important stretch of the season with some very impressive performances. We are happy to have him back.”

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Original Text

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski has the news:

After spending most of last season as a free agent, Martin was signed by the Knicks in time to play 18 regular-season games down the stretch. Playing mostly center, he averaged 7.2 points on 60.2 percent field-goal shooting to go along with 5.3 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game.

In 12 playoff games, he put up similar numbers: 5.8 points on 58.0 percent field-goal shooting, 4.5 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 1.4 blocks in 21.1 minutes per game. 

After an underwhelming offensive season with the Los Angeles Clippers the previous year, Martin proved with the Knicks he can still play an important role on both sides of the court. 

For a New York team that already has Tyson Chandler, Amar'e Stoudemire (when healthy), Andrea Bargnani, Metta World Peace and Carmelo Anthony holding down the frontcourt, he gives head coach Mike Woodson additional depth off the bench, especially on defense. 

Martin has always been known as a solid defender, but in his last two seasons with the Clippers and Knicks (60 games), he has averaged 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per 36 minutes.  

Moreover, when he was on the court last season, the Knicks gave up three points per 100 possessions less than when he was off it, according to 82games.com.

While Martin is still effective on offense, his calling card is now defense, energy and toughness, with an emphasis on that last attribute. Getting on Kenyon's bad side is usually a mistake. 

While he doesn't make for the most exciting signing in the world, Martin undoubtedly makes the Knicks better.