The Philadelphia 76ers are committed to building a well-balanced, talented squad with a vision to compete for an NBA Championship.
Along with Paul George, Eric Gordon, and Andre Drummond, the sleeper offseason acquisition may be the signing of former Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin to a four-year deal guaranteed for more than $32 million. Martin is expected to start alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Obure, and George.
Martin’s journey to the NBA has been filled with many twists and turns. He began his collegiate career at North Carolina State before transferring to the University of Nevada where he played along with his twin brother Cody Martin. With the Wolfpack, he was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year for the 2017–18 season.
After going undrafted player in the 2019 NBA draft, Martin was picked up by Charlotte Hornets where he played his first two seasons before inking a deal with the Miami Heat where his career took off. A major contributor to the Heat’s success, Martin helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in 2023. Last season, he averaged 10 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 64 games.
At 28 years old, the 6’5 forward checks many boxes that have been major needs for the 76ers. For a closer look, here are three impactful ways Caleb Martin will improve the team.
1. Caleb Martin can help improve the 76ers’ three-point prowess
Martin is a solid knock-down 3-point shooter who can capitalize open looks off of double teams on Emiibid and Maxey’s penetration in the paint. Last season, he shot 34.9 % from beyond the arc, making him a legitimate deep threat at a league average clip. It’s safe to say that Martin will have ample opportunities to knock down even shots news season.
The 76ers are by no means a terrible shooting team last season, but they definitely lacked volume as a team, finishing in the bottom third of the league in three-point makes. Having Martin, a willing shooter, will give Nick Nurse another toy to play with.
2. Philly gets another versatile weapon with Martin
In a league that is touting positionless basketball, versatility is a key hallmark of any successful team. Without question, Martin brings the kind of versatility that Philadelphia lacked at the power forward position with the skillset to also play small forward and shooting guard.
An above-average defender, Martin and George will be an awesome combination that would be a major upgrade to the 76ers’ perimeter defense. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has always glowingly raved about his versatile offerings, especially from a multi-positional aspect.
“His versatility is vital to our group,” Spoelstra said. “Night after night after night, he’s taking on all the different challenges this league can present. Whether he’s guarding the small, super-quick guys or whether he’s guarding the bigger wings or that he’s switching onto centers. Our defense seems to be more active and fast when he’s out on the court.”
3. Martin excels against the 76ers’ bitter rival
For some reason, Martin plays his best basketball in the playoffs, especially against the Boston Celtics which eliminated the 76ers in the playoffs in 2018, 2020, and 2023. Against the Celtics, Martin has tallied 13.6 points on 50 percent shooting in regular-season and playoff games over the past two seasons, making it the most he’s scored against any opponent in the Eastern Conference.
Additionally, two of his 25-plus point games came against the Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals where he put up 19.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in seven games against the Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.
If Martin can bring that efficiency next year, the 76ers have the potential to be the most formidable team in the Eastern Conference, especially since they will inevitably need to pass and brave through the insanely talented Celtics.
