Jordan Hill’s Injury Opens Door for LA Lakers to Sign Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin has become a necessity for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Not only is the team's development being hindered by the murky health bills of Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, but backup big man Jordan Hill is officially done for the season.

Depth, youth and defensive competence are luxuries the Lakers have not been afforded all season, and now we can add size to the much-too-lengthy list as well.

Though Sam Amick of USA Today reported that Los Angeles had not reached out to the 35-year-old forward, that was before Hill was added to the team's list of injured casualties.

The Lakers-who cut Johnson-Odom & lost bigs D. Howard & P. Gasol today-have not reached out to free agent F Kenyon Martin,USAT has learned

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 7, 2013 Now, however, everything has changed.



Hill's importance to this team remains understated. Like really understated. He has provided instant rebounding and athleticism to a team that lacks both.

How much so?

To the point where Hill's offensive rebounding rate currently stands at a league-leading 19.9, a splendor the Lakers cannot afford to be without. After all, his 6.4 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes leads the NBA.

Los Angeles ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency, essentially meaning that the livelihood of this team is predicated upon the success of its sixth-ranked offense. Without Hill, a vast majority of the Lakers' second-chance points opportunities go out the window.

Meaning?

This convocation needs to combat such a reality with some added defense to offset the hit its offensive dynamic just withstood.

Enter Martin.



At 6'9", Martin doesn't provide the size that the 6'10" and visibly more lanky Hill does, yet he remains quite the defender. His 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game with the Los Angeles Clippers last season doesn't seem like m...

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