Kelan Martin's contract becomes guaranteed for the 2020-21 season
He's appeared in 11 games, but has not carved out a role with the Pacers.
The 5:00 p.m. ET deadline came and went Wednesday without Pacers news, which was important for Kelan Martin. The 6-foot-5 forward’s contract became guaranteed for the rest of the season since he was not waived.
The Pacers (15-15) now have 15 fully guaranteed contracts this season, the maximum allowed, plus two guys on two-way deals. They have some room under the luxury tax threshold — about $4.2 million — should they want to make a midseason move.
Martin, a 2018 graduate of Butler University, signed with the Pacers in November and will earn $1.45 million for this season. He’s appeared in 11 of 30 games, but has played less than 43 minutes total. He's 6 for 18 from the field, including 2 of 8 from outside.
“He deserves it,” coach Nate Bjorkgren said Wednesday night. “He’s been a great teammate. It’s been a little while since he’s been on the floor during the guts of the game. He will get his chance again. He comes to work every day, he practices hard every day, he’s a great teammate on the bench. All of those things equate to a good team player to have, especially on your bench and a guy who’s always going to be ready to go.
“He’s working in practice. You guys can’t see it, but he’s working.”
Martin is under contract for next season ($1.7 million), but it does not become guaranteed until the offseason.
He started his pro career in Germany after going undrafted in 2018. He was with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.