It has been nearly two years since the 76ers decided to part ways with Caleb Martin, but the team is still cashing in on that deal. While the primary return which Philadelphia got from that trade in the form of Quentin Grimes is not on the roster anymore, that deal nevertheless keeps on giving for the franchise nearly a couple of years later. After all, the cap relief which the front office got from that exchange ended up helping them in a huge way during the offseason.
Martin, whom the 76ers signed in the summer of 2024 to the tune of a four-year, $35 million deal. However, he got off to a very slow start with the team. As such, he was dealt before the 2025 trade deadline to the Mavericks for Grimes and a second-round pick in that year, which Philly then used to select Johni Broome. That being said, the real prize for the 76ers is not in any of the assets they actually acquired.
The Caleb Martin trade is the trade that keeps on giving for the 76ers
When compared to his actual production on the hardwood, Martin was making more money than he warranted. Had the 76ers kept him in the fold, they would have owed him $10 million this season and possibly $9.4 million in the subsequent campaign should he opt into his player option, which he almost certainly would.
In that case, it would be highly likely that Philadelphia's brass would not have been able to bring in some of their key acquisitions in free agency such as LeBron James, Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Martin's salary would have tied the hands of the front office and prevented them from signing one or two of those guys.
To Martin's credit, he has played much better in Dallas so far this season compared to the previous campaign, averaging four points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in just under 19 minutes a night. He has been a plug-and-play piece for the Mavericks, filling in various roles just like he has in his career (and supposedly for the 76ers in his brief stint with the franchise).
Still, the 76ers clearly did the right thing in moving on from him. While he is not a detrimental player by any means, the cap relief the team got by dangling away his contract is now felt by the team as their title bid rages on. After all, without Martin getting shipped to the Mavericks, Philly would have been handcuffed by his considerably overpaid deal.
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