Nets guard Tyrese Martin, who saw his two-way deal converted into a two-year, $2.83 million contract in February, has emerged as one of the team’s top threats from behind the arc this season at 35.8% on 260 attempts.
Only Ziaire Williams (97), Jalen Wilson (103), Keon Johnson (115) and Cam Johnson (159) have made more 3-pointers than Martin. The 26-year-old has played fewer total minutes than those four. Johnson is the only teammate shooting 3-pointers at a higher clip.
Martin has been a solid contributor regardless of whatever role he’s been asked to play this season. He’s averaged 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 37.7/39/57.1 splits in 10 starts this season, and 8.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 41.6/34.8/85 splits in 46 appearances as a reserve.
“I’m just trying to maximize every opportunity,” Johnson said following Saturday’s 115-112 defeat of the Washington Wizards. “This can be taken away from me at any time. So, I’m just out there trying to have fun, win as many games as possible, and just try to get 1% better every time I’m out there whether that’s defensively, being a leader, offensively. Whatever it is, just finding ways to grow my game and just be a better basketball player and a person.”
Martin got his 10th start of the season against Washington with D’Angelo Russell sidelined. The sharpshooting guard delivered, finishing with a team-high-tying 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting. He made three of his five attempts from deep and added five rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes.
Cam Johnson suffered a lower back contusion with 3:21 left in regulation and was forced to check out. The Nets also blew a nine-point lead with 3:18 left and were in desperate need of some late-game heroics.