This is the 12th in a 15-part series evaluating each Timberwolves player's performance during the 2014-15 season. Find the entire series here.
After Kevin Martin missed 43 games during a dismal 16-win season, he wasn't interested in discussing what might've been.
"You never know," the Timberwolves shooting guard said. "I always felt going into the season -- we was around in the tough West -- we could've been a little bit above .500. So you never know. You don't want to play that game right now."
Because that's not what really matters in Minnesota at the moment. Instead, it's the progression toward the future -- rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins' exploits, Zach LaVine's athleticism, Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng's development heading into Year 3 of their NBA careers and a top-four pick in next month's draft.
But in reconstructing the franchise from the ground up, Flip Saunders says a mix of veterans and proteges is the best way to go. Which is why, despite heavy speculation to the contrary, the Wolves' coach and president didn't deal Martin at the 2015 trade deadline, nor does he plan to part ways with the oft-injured, 32-year-old shooting guard this summer.
"I know everyone said that we should trade him," Saunders said after a season largely lost to injury -- Martin's broken right (shooting) wrist included.
"They've been saying that for the last five months or whatever, and I've said I liked what he brings to the team. I still believe the same way."
Aside from the 11-years-of-experience component, Martin is still a bona fide NBA scorer.
When he's not sitting behind Saunders in a suit jacket, that is.
"I felt like it was a good season," Martin said. "I just wish it could've been more games."
Scoring: B+
Martin's best night of the season was also his worst.
Nov. 19, he made 14 of 20 field goals for a season-high-tying 37 points. He did most of it with a fractured bone in his right wrist that required surgery and sidelined him till the end of January.
But that game, a 115-99 win against the Knicks, exhibited what a natural, pure scorer Martin is even after more than a decade of awkward jump shots, drawing fouls and defenders trying -- unsuccessfully -- to solve him. He averaged 20 points per game, the most since his first year in Houston (2010-11) and shot 42.7 percent from the floor (39.3 from 3-point range).
That would've ranked Martin as the NBA's No. 15 scorer (tied with Chicago's Jimmy Butler) had he played in enough games to qualify. He also would have been in the top 20 for free throws attempted per game (4.9) and ranked 10th in free-throw percentage (88.1).
Distribution: C
Facilitating isn't exactly part of Martin's game. He's a spot-up, create-and-attack wing. But Saunders likes having two guards on the floor who can run the pick-and-roll, so Martin's chances to distribute increased slightly.
He had 2.3 assists per game, the most in his past three seasons -- two in Minnesota, one in Oklahoma City.
Defense: C-
Can a player really change his identity that much after 10 years in the league? Maybe not. But he can chip away at its shortcomings.
Martin's 11th NBA campaign was the latest example of how statistics, no matter how advanced or analytical, don't always tell the whole story. He averaged 0.8 steals per game to 1.9 turnovers. He finished with a negative defensive win shares total (minus-0.1), which is really hard to do. Opponents shot 44.9 percent when he was defending them.
But a player who always tops the list of NBA players least interested in defense actually improved slightly on that end of the floor.
"I really believe he tried to be more engaged defensively than he had been in the past," Saunders said.
Sticking with his assignment longer. Denying passing lanes quicker. Selling out for more loose balls. Martin will never be a good defender, but he gets a slight bump up from last year's grade (D) for trying.
Overall: B
When he wasn't injured or ill, Martin was the steady presence Saunders brought him on to be. He helped coach up Wiggins and LaVine. Filled the score sheet. Accommodated the media.
All of which would be hard for Saunders to walk away from.
Martin has two years worth $14.3 million remaining on the four-year, $28 million deal he inked in 2013. Moving him would allow the Wolves to fill another need in free agency this offseason. When he says Martin's a keeper, Saunders is either telling the truth or trying to pump up Martin's market value.
Some players would welcome a change of scenery after playing for the team with the league's worst record. But Martin, who will work with personal coach David Thorpe in Florida this offseason like he always does, says he didn't mind.
So as the future slowly comes, Martin could continue to be a main part of the present.
"I had fun this year despite the losses," Martin said. "It was fun just seeing the guys grow and being around a Class-A organization. I think ever since Flip got here, this is an organization that players are going to want to be around. They take care of their players. So it's been fun. I wish I was in the playoffs right now, but who doesn't in this locker room right now? So we'll probably revisit (my situation) sometime this summer."
Next: Kevin Garnett
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