The Golden State Warriors have had a bit of a strange offseason. They continued to get linked to several names in free agency, with veteran center Al Horford and guard De’Anthony Melton widely expected to sign with the team eventually, but everything continues to hinge on the standoff the team finds itself in with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
Once the Warriors figure out what is going on with Kuminga, that will free them up to make all these other moves they continue to be linked to. Another guy Golden State has reportedly shown interest in is veteran forward Cody Martin, but the team has been urged to avoid signing him ahead of the start of the 2025-26 season.
Warriors Urged Not to Sign Cody Martin
Martin broke into the league when he was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. During his time in the league, Martin gradually turned himself into a solid rotation piece for the Hornets, but he was never able to fully secure a starting job during his five-and-a-half-season stint with the team.
Last year, Martin got traded to the Phoenix Suns, as they looked to bolster their depth. The problem was that Martin struggled mightily during his 14-game stunt with the Suns, as he averaged just 3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting an abysmal 35.1% from the field and 11.1% from behind the arc.
The Warriors are looking to shore up their rotation, so they have unsurprisingly been linked to a handful of players as they try to figure out what to do with Kuminga. That includes Martin, who is a sturdy defender who can hold his own on offense. When considering all the other moves Golden State is reportedly set to complete once Kuminga’s business is taken care of, Peter O’Keefe of Blue Man Hoop doesn’t believe the team should sign Martin.
“Martin has built his career as a tough, defensive-minded player who leaves it all on the floor, theoretically making him a player that Steve Kerr would like in the rotation or at least as an option at the end of the bench,” O’Keefe wrote. However, in reality that’s the last type of player the Warriors actually need, particularly if they’re set on bringing back Payton while also holding confidence in Melton returning to somewhere near his best after a torn ACL.
Should the Warriors Sign Cody Martin?
GettyThe Warriors have been linked to Cody Martin in free agency, but they have been urged to avoid signing him
The Warriors‘ interest in Martin really depends on what they do once they sort out Kuminga’s future. If they do sign Horford and Melton, while also resigning Gary Payton II, which is what many league insiders believe will eventually happen, then there isn’t really a need for Martin. If something falls through with either Melton or Payton, though, there could be a need for him.
Ultimately, Golden State needs to take care of their situation with Kuminga before they can truly figure out what the rest of their free agency plans look like. It’s good for them to do their due diligence on Martin, but if everything goes according to plan with Horford, Melton, and Payton, they simply may not have space for him on their roster.
Warriors Urged to Avoid Signing Veteran Free Agent Forward Amid Rumored Interest