NBA Rumors: 3 Teams Vying For Rockets Forward

Houston Rockets forward KJ Martin (Kenyon Martin Jr.) is known to be interested in moving on from the team, as noted by Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, and he's "one player the (Phoenix) Suns have held ongoing talks about obtaining, sources said," according to Fischer.

While the Suns are busy trying to grant forward Jae Crowder his wish to be traded, they're also intent on replacing him with a solid forward that can contribute to the rotation. 

Fischer adds that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are two other teams known to have interest in Martin. The Heat are still on the lookout to replace the production of PJ Tucker, who fled to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency this summer. The Blazers, meanwhile, are in the business of stockpiling young players on the rise, so Martin fits there as well.

Martin is only 21, and is under contract at very friendly $1.8M and $1.9M values the next two seasons. The Rockets' 2022 Draft haul, however, including forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason—both of whom have had solid preseasons—has had Martin wondering if moving on to a new locale would give him a more clear path to playing time.

In the meantime, he's shifted to small forward during the preseason, and has done pretty well for himself, averaging 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals in 26.0 minutes in the preseason games.

Photo: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports