5 Kenyon Martin Jr. trades that give Rockets more flexibility

3. Nets get KJ as Rockets score 3-and-D wing

The Nets are in an interesting position after trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. They are prepared to build around Mikal Bridges, but Brooklyn has to pay Cameron Johnson in restricted free agency this summer, and teams are already lining up bids. Bringing back Johnson will create a logjam on the wing and could push the Nets well over the salary cap.

Expect the Nets to make some trades this summer. Can they get a bit younger and more athletic by adding Kenyon Martin Jr. from the Rockets?

Both teams want a first-round pick for their player, so this could be an avenue to feel like each got what they wanted. Martin is eight years younger and more athletic. All three players are in their 20s which gives Brooklyn some fresher legs as they try to push for the playoffs behind Bridges and Johnson. The Nets could also trade Dorian Finney-Smith for draft capital to free minutes for Martin.

The Rockets get a talented 3-and-D wing to help them contend. If they can add Fred VanVleet and Brook Lopez, Houston is suddenly becoming a strong team in a stacked Western Conference. They would need their young talent to take a step forward to make the Play-In Tournament, but most are high picks that should be ready to leap.

The Houston Rockets save more money here, but what if their goal is to remove Kenyon Martin Jr. from their books entirely without taking back a contract?