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It was his debut game as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the recently-acquired shooting guard just didn't want to mess anything up. “I've been the man the past eight years on my team,” Martin said. “I'm coming into a system where I don't have to play that role anymore, which I'm very OK with. First and foremost, I just didn't want them thinking I was coming in here trying to be that guy. It's just about doing whatever I can do to win, and I think they respect that.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Martin 

As Kevin Martin, now a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, prepared for the 2012-13 season with the Houston Rockets, he knew his time with the team was coming to an end. The franchise was clearly in rebuilding mode and had actually traded him prior to last seasom in a three-way deal for Pau Gasol that was vetoed in its final stages. They invested their highest draft pick in another shooting guard during the offseason, which told Martin all he needed to know. “I knew it was going to come at some point, with next summer being an unrestricted free agent and them in rebuilding mode,” Martin said to HOOPSWORLD. “I knew it was going to come at some point, but I prepare every year to be where I’m at the start of training camp and have a great year.” HoopsWorld

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, Kevin Martin 

What surprised Martin was where he was traded to. His entire career he’s been successful, averaging 18 points over eight seasons, but he’s never been on a serious contender. Now with the Thunder, he has his best chance ever to win at a high rate and compete for a championship. “It felt surreal,” Martin said. “You’re coming from a rebuilding team to a championship-caliber squad. You just want to do everything in your power to help them get that. With hard work and being a great teammate and learning the system, I think we can do that. “I felt great. You always look at the offense and defensive aspect of the game and how you translate. I know how they are defensively. I feel like I can fit right in there and offensively I’m just a guy who likes to work off each other, other teammates with somebody like Nick Collison, who kind of plays like Brad Miller and also a point guard like Eric Manor, they’re just great gel guys.” HoopsWorld

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, Kevin Martin 

Kupchak: On the surface, the Thunder had a team that was very successful as a group, as a unit. There's a piece of that group that's moving on, so you might take something from that. At the same time, I think by adding Kevin Martin they have a piece that they can use, that's going to get minutes, and he can certainly score. They picked up a lot of (draft picks), plus a kid in (Jeremy Lamb) we all liked in college. So you can argue that this year there may be a ding to their chemistry because they'd been together for three years, but Martin could fit right in and Lamb could have a (positive) impact. NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, Mitch Kupchak, James Harden, Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb 

Royce Young: Martin says he's ready to do whatever it takes, including coming off the bench. "I'm tired of being done in April." Twitter @dailythunder

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Martin 

"Oh my gosh!" he told Y! Sports' Marc Spears. "Feels like a dream. Sometimes words can't describe it." Yahoo! Sports

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, James Harden, Kevin Martin 

Alex Kennedy: Kevin Martin is ecstatic after unexpected move from worst to first. He was frustrated on rebuilding Rockets. Now he's on contending Thunder. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, James Harden, Kevin Martin 

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first round picks and a second round pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard James Harden, center Cole Aldrich and forwards Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich, Sam Presti, James Harden, Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, Lazar Hayward 

Marc J. Spears: New @okcthunder guard Kevin Martin to Y! Sports: "Oh my Gosh! Feels like a dream. Sometimes words can't describe it." Twitter @SpearsNBAYahoo

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, Kevin Martin 

Martin said he was more anxious about where he would be traded this off-season than hoping to be moved. But when asked if he had requested a trade after the season, he would not be specific about those conversations. “You always go through mixed emotions,” Martin said. “The organization goes through mixed emotions. Things like that we’ll keep behind closed doors. I’m happy now. We’re good.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Trade, Kevin Martin 

Days later, it hit him. He’s been laughing a lot lately. He has played well, so well that McHale said he’s “been great.” But that’s not it. “I am happy,” Martin said. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot this week, just enjoying this time with the new players and getting a full training camp. I got a chance to clear my mind this summer of some things that happened last year. Put in a lot of hard work. I feel like I’m on my way to being where I was the year before last.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Trade, Kevin Martin 

The Houston Rockets have tried to repair the relationship with Kevin Martin, but after trying to trade him over the last two offseasons, it’s clear Kevin’s time in Houston is short. With one season worth $12.43 million left on his deal, Kevin is the salary chip the Rockets will have to cash before the trade deadline. HoopsWorld

Houston Rockets, Trade, Kevin Martin 

The Houston Rockets have tried to repair the relationship with Kevin Martin, but after trying to trade him over the last two offseasons, it’s clear Kevin’s time in Houston is short. With one season worth $12.43 million left on his deal, Kevin is the salary chip the Rockets will have to cash before the trade deadline. The Rockets say Kevin is their guy, but when you look at the direction of the roster Kevin isn’t exactly a good fit. HoopsWorld

Houston Rockets, Trade, Kevin Martin 

Marc J. Spears: “He can be just as exciting as he was in NY.Houston is going to embrace him and expect a lot from him," HOU Kevin Martin tells Y! on @JLin7 Twitter

Houston Rockets, Kevin Martin 

Jonathan Feigen: NO has given every indication would match a Gordon offer sheet, but on sign and trade chance, NO was dealing for Scola, Martin, etc. in Dec. Twitter

Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Trade, Luis Scola, Eric Gordon, Kevin Martin 

Ken Berger: Rockets have had some talks about Kevin Martin, but are planning to keep him, league source says. Martin has $12.4M expiring contract. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Trade, Kevin Martin 

Veteran guards Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin have also been made available in various trade scenarios by the Rockets as they continue to stockpile young assets as part of their well-chronicled intent to pursue Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard or another franchise player in trade scenarios. ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Trade, Kyle Lowry, Dwight Howard, Kevin Martin 

While teams talk a lot, especially when together -- as president of basketball operations David Kahn was at the Minnesota draft workout, the Brooklyn draft workout and in Chicago at the Combine -- he has planted lots of seeds. They have talked to the Lakers about Pau Gasol, Philadelphia about Andre Iguodala, Houston about Kevin Martin and Memphis about Rudy Gay. That being said, nothing is close as of now to being done. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Andre Iguodala, Draft, Trade, Rudy Gay, Pau Gasol, David Kahn, Kevin Martin 

The Rockets have had discussions with top 10 teams involving their leading scorer, shooting guard Kevin Martin, who has one year and $12.9 million left on his contract. Houston also has a quality point guard in Kyle Lowry, who expressed dissatisfaction with coach Kevin McHale last month. SI.com

Houston Rockets, Trade, Kevin McHale, Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin 

Two sources involved in the Houston-Sacramento talks refuted a report that the Rockets had offered Nos. 14 and 16 and point guard Kyle Lowry for the fifth pick and guard Tyreke Evans. The Rockets have reportedly had talks with Toronto as well, with Lowry mentioned as a possible piece in a deal that would give the Raptors' No. 8 pick to Houston. Rockets shooting guard Kevin Martin is also a possibility to be dealt. He has just one year left on his contract (worth $12.9 million) and is not looking to re-sign in Houston, according to sources close to him. SI.com

Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Kyle Lowry, Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin