The Philadelphia 76ers made a big trade in the wee hours of Tuesday morning to send James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers for a package of expiring contracts and draft picks. The deal ends the Harden saga in Philadelphia that began in June.
Along with Harden, the Sixers sent PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev to the Clippers in exchange for Marcus Morris Sr., Nic Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin and draft picks.
Martin is the son of former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin. The elder Martin was on an episode of “Gil’s Arena,” and he was a bit emotional about his son being sent across the country to the Sixers in the deal:
I never dealt with it as a player, for one. It was about the money, but not three games into the season. Not no (expletive) like this. This, you have to wake the wife up and tell her this, having to break this news to the little ones. They’re excited when KJ comes by, so it’s that that people don’t understand, you know what I’m saying? It’s hard to put into words without being emotional about it, but it’s a good thing. It’s really a good thing and I’m excited for him, man. … I’m excited for him, man. It’s just having to break that news to the little ones.
Kenyon Martin discusses what it’s like seeing his son, Kenyon Martin Jr., get traded. pic.twitter.com/QnoUKsfVFt
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) October 31, 2023
It’s stuff like this that people don’t necessarily think about when it comes to a big trade in the NBA. It can be an emotional time for almost everybody involved when a big move like this happens.
As for the younger Martin, KJ should get an opportunity to thrive under coach Nick Nurse in Philadelphia so it is a good thing for him.
[lawrence-related id=85651,85648,85634]