3 former Rockets failing miserably with their new team in 2023

2. K.J. Martin

Kenyon Martin Jr. has easily been one of the Rockets' best prospects throughout phase one of their rebuild. Martin oozes with athleticism and flashed immense potential when afforded the opportunity in Houston.

Martin's best season came in 2022-23, as he averaged 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 67.9 percent on two-pointers, 56.9 percent from the field, and 63.5 percent true shooting. Martin developed a formidable long-range jumper also, as he made 31.5 percent of his treys in 2022-23 (easily his lowest mark as a member of the Rockets), 35.7 percent on his threes in 2021-22, and 36.5 percent of his long-range attempts as a rookie in 2020-21. 

The Rockets traded the 22-year-old forward to the LA Clippers, in a move that was expected to provide youth and athleticism to an older Clips team. However, Martin was only able to suit up for two games with the Clips before being traded once more to the Philadelphia 76ers, in the move that sent James Harden and P.J. Tucker to Los Angeles.

Since arriving in Philly, Martin has struggled to crack Sixers coach Nick Nurse's rotation, as he's averaged a measly six minutes per contest. Martin opened up on the difficulty of the situation in Philadelphia. 

"I mean, I think it’s tough for anybody. I’m a competitor at the end of the day. So I just want to go out there and play basketball. That’s what I love to do and it’s what I worked for all my life. So it’s a little bit tough for sure....There’s certain stuff you can control. I know I can control coming in every day still getting my work in and staying ready for anything.”

Martin hasn't quite given Nurse reason to play him, as he's averaged 6.7 points and 6 rebounds per 36 minutes, while shooting just 33 percent from the field, 36.4 percent on two-pointers, and a horrid 36.3 percent true shooting in the nine games he's played with the Sixers.