Lakers Rumors: Kenyon Martin Would Bring Down Lakers’ Potential

The Los Angeles Lakers adding Kenyon Martin will not help the team's chances at winning an NBA championship in 2013.

Make no mistake, this is a team that is now ready to make a serious run for the NBA championship, but Kenyon Martin wouldn't bring anything to the table that would push them over the top. According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, Martin is considering joining the Lakers.

Sources said the 34-year-old power forward is holding up this later stage of the hiring process for frontcourt free agents, with the Lakers and the Nets among the teams he's considering and negotiation leverage seemingly gone because so many of his colleagues seem willing to take minimum deals.

While it would be tempting for the Lakers to add yet another big-name veteran to the roster, the Lakers should abstain and stick with what they have or use their mini mid-level exception on a player that will add depth to the backcourt rather than another post player.

Simply put, Martin doesn't fit in with this Lakers team and here's why:

 

He Would Take Minutes from Jordan Hill



The Lakers have very few young guys on the roster with any promise but Jordan Hill is the exception to that statement.

Hill has not lived up to his top-10 pick billing that he had as a rookie, but the 25-year-old continues to develop and could be key if Dwight Howard misses more time than expected with his back injury.

Ultimately, Pau Gasol and Howard will play the lion's share of minutes in the front court, which leaves Hill to pick up what's left. Given that Hill has shown potential, it would be a wise move on the Lakers part to really give him a push to prepare him for the playoffs.

The problem with signing Martin is that both Hill and Martin bring similar things to the table. Neither are going to light up the scoreboard—they both shot in the mid-40s last season, but they are bo...

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