NBA Free Agents: Odds on Where Kenyon Martin Will Sign Once He Hits the Market

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports Kenyon Martin has agreed to a contract buyout with Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the China Basketball Association.

Before we jump the gun on where Martin will land next though, the agreement states that he must honor the CBA's rules, rendering him unable to return to the NBA until his former team's season reaches an end.

The CBA's season ends in mid-February, but Martin's former team is headed for the playoffs, which means he will not be available until around March. After that, though, he will be a legitimate unrestricted free agent and free to join any team he likes.

Which teams are likely to express interest in the power forward? Best bets are contenders looking to bolster their frontcourt.

Dallas Mavericks

Tyson Chandler left a gaping hole in the middle when he departed for New York—one that the Dallas Mavericks have not yet finished filling.

Lamar Odom and Brendan Haywood will help fill the void left by the defensive guru, but only somewhat. The Mavericks would certainly not be opposed to adding some more size.

Martin used to be one of the best defensive big men in the game, and while he is unlikely to return to full-fledged form, he may still have a few tricks up his sleeve on that end of the ball. Let's also not forget that like the Heat, Mark Cuban keeps the team in play for any big or semi-big names available.

One of the only road-blocks to a Martin addition would be his willingness to accept a one-year or cheap short-term deal. Dallas wants to remain cap-light for next summer's free-agency binge.

Many counted the Mavericks out in the NBA Finals. Don't do the same in the Martin sweepstakes.

Odds: 35:1

New York Knicks

Depending upon who you talk to, the New York Knicks either are or aren't championship contenders.

Regardless of which side of the fence you stand on, once cannot deny the allure of playing alongside the league's most talented frontcourt. Just ask Baron Davis.

Martin would certainly add depth to an already strong frontcourt that has been paper-thin for the better part of a decade, but don't expect the Knicks to make a hard push for him. New York has enough question marks down low without adding Martin's health issues to the mix.

That being said, the power forward will likely be held to a one-year deal, minimizing the risk of signing him. Even with such a notion though, the Knicks' true need is a stretch-4, someone who can play inside and out. 

If they miss out on acquiring one of those, fully expect them to experiment will Gilbert Arenas before entertaining the idea of Martin.

Odds: 100: 1 

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have no need for starting power forward as long as Blake Griffin is alive and well, but after dealing Chris Kaman, some extra size would be a welcoming sight on the revamped roster.

As is, the Clippers have a very talented team. However, outside of Griffin, there is no proven talent in the low post. DeAndre Jordan remains a budding young player, but his production is far from guaranteed.

The same can be said of Martin, yet at least his potential impact has a measurable ceiling.

Additionally, don't underestimate the importance Chris Paul has on this situation. He helped revive Tyson Chandler's career in New Orleans, and Martin could be intrigued at the prospect of something similar ensuing with him. He is older than Chandler, but Paul could help him land one last multi-year deal.

Paul's presence has already had a positive effect on athletes being open to play for the Clippers—see Chauncey Billups—and it is likely to continue.

Is Martin the next player drawn to the Paul-led Clippers? 

To say yes would be jumping the gun, but the answer is far from a no.

Odds: 10:1

Miami Heat

If not for any other reason, the Miami Heat will enter the Martin sweepstakes come March thanks to their tendency to become linked to every possible name available.

In all seriousness, though, the Eddy Curry experiment could determine whether or not the Heat make a play for the power forward.

Miami hopes to see Curry get some burn soon, but the Knicks maintained such optimism for the better part of five years. If Curry proves to be a competent force in the low post, the Heat have no need to add another.

However, if Curry proves ineffective or is unable to play, Miami does not exactly have a wealth of low-post talent outside of Chris Bosh. Martin would be able to take some minutes at the 5, and would also be able to shoulder the 4 in Bosh's absence.

If history has taught us anything, it's that Curry is far from a lock to step foot on the hardwood. Until he proves otherwise, don't sleep on the Heat to become players for Martin.

Odds: 20:1 

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are unwilling to move both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum in exchange for Dwight Howard, but perhaps Jerry Buss will reconsider his stance now that Martin will be in play for March.

Howard negotiations go from one extreme to the other almost daily, suggesting that his situation will drag out as close to the March 15th trade deadline as possible. Conveniently enough, Martin will be eligible to return to the NBA right around then, and could soften the blow of a departing Gasol.

Martin will never be as productive as Gasol is; those days are behind him. That being said, alongside Howard, would that really matter?

While Los Angeles may be justified in not wanting to relinquish two key big men in exchange for one, Martin does present them with other options. As long as he remains healthy, he can make a different in the low post on both ends of the floor.

The Lakers chances of landing Howard greatly improve if they are willing to ship both Gasol and Bynum to Orlando. With people already screaming for Los Angeles to explore such measures, why not take a chance on Martin to help fill the void the team may create regardless?

Odds: 8:1 

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.