Hawks sign SF Cartier Martin to compete for roster spot

Apr 12, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; A Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman (l) talks to Wizards power forward Cartier Martin (20) in the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Verizon Center. The 76ers won 97-86. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

In a very interesting and mostly unforeseen move, the Atlanta Hawks have announced the signing of journeyman forward Cartier Martin.

ROSTER UPDATE - We have signed Cartier Martin. Details here: http://t.co/expKqf9fPO
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 15, 2013

It is important to distinguish immediately that Martin hasn’t been issued a guaranteed contract by the Hawks, but in fact, he’s simply being brought in to compete for a regular season roster spot.

Martin is a 5-year NBA veteran at the swingman position, and it seems clear that he is considered, at the very least, a potential upgrade to the bench. He is an athletic player at 6-foot-7, but as a career 39% field goal shooter (yikes), Martin has struggled to put things together, in full, offensively, while never displaying a singular “elite” skill at this level.

By the looks of it, Martin will be competing with another journeyman forward, James Johnson, for a single spot on the Hawks bench, as the rest of the 15-man roster looks to be crowded by guaranteed deals. The Hawks could probably use the “3 and D” possibilities that Martin could bring (as well as his ability to play the shooting guard spot), but Johnson is probably the more purely talented player, and has the pedigree of being a 1st-round pick in the league.

Either way, it appears as if the Hawks aren’t close to done with the finalization of their roster.

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