Forward Martin expected to be released today
Warriors forward Cartier Martin finished with four points and three rebounds in 10 minutes of Friday’s 121-110 loss to the visiting Charlotte Bobcats. It is expected to be his last game as a Warrior.
Martin’s second 10-day contract expires today, and the Warriors have two options: Sign him for the rest of the season or let him go. A team source said Martin will be released.
Golden State does not have a roster spot available, and creating one would require sacrificing a trade asset or eating salary. The Warriors would have to pull off a trade that sends away two players and returns one, or they would have to cut someone because they already have a maximum 15 guaranteed contracts.
The only player they could reasonably cut is little-used center Chris Hunter. But his contract was guaranteed for the rest of the season earlier this month, which means the Warriors would have to pay him anyway. Plus, with the Warriors’ plethora of injuries on the front line, they can’t afford to let go of a big man.
Martin could get picked up after the Feb. 18 trade deadline, once the Warriors have used the assets they are going to use and a potential spot opens up. But Martin may not be there.
In nine games, Martin averaged 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and nearly 30 minutes. He started twice and shot just 35.7 percent from the field.
“I wish I had shot the ball better,” Martin said, “but I feel like teams know I can shoot the ball. I feel like I played pretty well. I did what my coaches asked me to do.”
“This is definitely home,” Brown said of Oakland.
Brown was drafted in 2009 with the No. 40 pick by Michael Jordan, the Bobcats’ managing member of basketball operations, and general manager Rod Higgins. Before Friday, Brown was averaging 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game.
— MARCUS THOMPSON II
