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Houston Rockets: 3 players that can fill P.J. Tucker’s spot

By N.B. Lindberg

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: P.J. Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets reacts after being charged with a foul during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: P.J. Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets reacts after being charged with a foul during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Kenyon Martin Jr. #6 of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Kenyon Martin Jr. #6 of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets P.J. Tucker replacement #3: Kenyon Martin Jr

Kenyon Martin Jr. has impressed in limited action this season and has a bright NBA future. Martin, listed at 6’6, has played the majority of NBA minutes at either the small forward position or power forward.

When it comes to positional versatility, Martin can fill the void left by P.J. Tucker’s departure but he remains a very different player. Martin hasn’t shown much of a 3-point shooting stroke and does most of his damage attacking the rim.

It should be noted, Martin has shot worse on corner threes, 22.2-percent, than on the deeper regulation length 3-pointers, 42.8-percent, which means he could experience a significant bump to his 31.2-percent shooting from 3-point range. That being said, it’s unlikely that Martin, at this stage in development, will be as reliable a scorer on the perimeter as Tucker was at his peak.

Martin is a very young player and as a result, his defense has been iffy at times. His athleticism has allowed him to snag a few blocks this season but when it comes to the fundamentals, he’s a far way away from being of Tucker’s quality.

Kenyon Martin Jr. has the tools to become a solid NBA rotation piece, and potentially more, but he’s a rookie that needs to smooth the edges of his game. Martin is a good developmental piece to replace Tucker’s role but he won’t give the team the immediate boost it could sorely use.

Next: #2

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