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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 destinations for Kevin Martin

By John Buhler

Jan 13, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) reacts after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) reacts after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Al-Farouq Aminu (7) during the game at American Airlines Center. Dallas won 131-117. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Al-Farouq Aminu (7) during the game at American Airlines Center. Dallas won 131-117. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks entered play Saturday with a 25-20 record, good enough for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. What has made the Mavericks one of the most consistent teams in the NBA the last 15 years besides future Hall of Fame power forward Dirk Nowitzki is that the Mavericks usually boast a top-10 offensive team.

However, in 2015-16 that has not been the case. Dallas is 18th in the NBA in points per game at 101.1, as well as 18th in team offensive rating at 104.8 points scored per 100 offensive possessions. The Mavericks are breaking even with a 0.0 point differential, as they also allow 101.1 points per game.

Dallas isn’t championship caliber, as they don’t boast a top 10 defense (15th), but maybe trading for a strong jump shooter like the Minnesota Timberwolves’ shooting guard could help make the Mavericks a better offensive team.

While Martin can’t play a lick of defense (111 career defensive rating), he can and will provide Dallas with an accurate three-point shot (.384 career from three) and an all-around efficient offensive game (115 career offensive rating).

Martin has averaged 17.7 points per game and has a career effective field goal percentage of .503, strong for a guy who the league classifies as a prototypical, jump-shooting shooting guard. His ability to make shots from distance will help the Mavericks open up space on the floor for their offense to play more creatively under head coach Rick Carlisle.

Next: 4. Miami Heat

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