The Nets did not have a player on the new third two-way contract spot, but Brooklyn finally filled the role with a new signing. The two-way spot has been given to promising G-League forward Jaylen Martin.
At only 20 years old, Martin has shown potential to be a solid role player as a wing. The young forward averaged 15 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 40% from beyond the arc for the Westchester Knicks this season.
A familiar face for Coach Ollie
With Kevin Ollie earning his spot as the Nets’ new interim head coach, he has a familiar face in the third two-way spot. Martin was part of the Overtime Elite squad that Ollie coached from 2021 to 2023. The Nets’ new tactician was also head of basketball development for OTE, which could play a role in improving Martin.
Jaylen looks like the modern prototypical wing who can shoot and pull off athletic plays. While he thrives mostly as an off-ball threat with his shooting and athleticism, the 20-year-old can be a reliable ball-handler.
For the Westchester Knicks, he had some promising performances that involved him being a primary ball-handler and dishing out assists to his teammates.
Martin is a good piece for the Nets’ depth
While the Nets are finally healthy after a season filled with untimely injuries, Brooklyn is doing its best to be proactive with this recent signing. Martin is a good insurance policy when some Nets players’ injuries struggle, like Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith.
While Ollie would likely play Jalen Wilson over the 20-year-old, there is potential for Martin to break through and earn a spot in the rotation. The new Nets coach wants “hunters” on his team, which Martin can become if he plays the way Ollie wants.
It will be an exciting chapter to Jaylen’s story as he continues to thrive after going undrafted in last year’s NBA Draft.
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