Instant grades for 76ers acquiring Quentin Grimes from Mavericks for Caleb Martin

Amidst chaotic start to the 2024-25 season for the Philadelphia 76ers, fans were impatiently urging Daryl Morey to take action. Some fans were arguing that the team should be sellers while others wanted them to prioritize winning now. Regardless, the longtime executive rose to the occasion this afternoon.

Philadelphia dealt forward Caleb Martin to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for guard Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round pick via Shams Charania of ESPN. Before this, Martin drew trade interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Martin signed a four-year/$35 million contract with the 76ers on July 6th, 2024. Like many of his former teammates, he’s dealt with various injuries that put him in and out of the lineup. In 31 games, Martin is averaging 9.1 points per game on 37.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

On the flip side, Grimes was also traded to Dallas from the Detroit Pistons on July, 6th, 2024. He played 47 games in a Mavericks uniform this season where he averaged 10.2 points per game on 39.8% shooting from deep. However, he’ll enter restricted free agency this summer. 

Also, the 76ers had zero picks in the upcoming 2025 NBA draft, which is stockpiled with talent. However, the 2025 second-round pick that Philadelphia got in return was its own, giving it the option to add to its developing young core or use it as ammunition in a future trade.

From a financial lens, this trade dug Philadelphia out of the first tax apron as it’s now $472,000 below the mark. However, the 76ers are still in the luxury tax threshold by $6.8 million. If Morey wants more cap flexibility heading into the 2025 offseason, Philadelphia will need to make at least one more trade by the Feb. 6th trade deadline.

The 76ers did well trading Caleb Martin for cap relief

While the 76ers’ direction is still unclear, one apparent thing is that they’re looking to clear up cap space. The likely reason for this is because of Philadelphia’s reported interest in re-signing forward Guerschon Yabusele this summer. If the 76ers were to get below the luxury tax, they could offer Yabusele the $12.8 million non-tax-payer mid-level exception.

Between nagging injuries and roster instability, Martin never truly found his footing in Philadelphia. His shooting inconsistencies and struggles as a ball-handler sometimes overshadow the fact that he was the 76ers’ best point-of-attack. 

Martin showed flashes of what could be for Philadelphia in its Christmas win over the Boston Celtics, but those moments were too few and far between. If the 76ers were to return to full strength, perhaps he would’ve had more stable production.

However, Grimes is a 24-year-old prototypical “3&D” wing who fits seamlessly with the 76ers’ star trio of center Joel Embiid, guard Tyrese Maxey, and forward Paul George. Simply put, he’s a better perimeter shooter than Martin who offers a touch more of scoring versatility while being an equally impactful perimeter defender. 

Philadelphia is quietly building itself a quality young core including guards Maxey, Grimes, Jared McCain, Ricky Council IV, forwards Justin Edwards and KJ Martin, and center Adem Bona. Such an influx of young talent can help the 76ers win now, but also give them something to build on in the future. 

With Martin gone, Philadelphia’s best option is to start Guerschon Yabusele at power forward. Grimes could also slot in as the 76ers’ starting shooting guard with his two-way prowess. Philadelphia’s starting lineup could be revamped into Maxey, Grimes, George, Yabusele, and Embiid. 

If anything, this trade clarifies that Philadelphia is seemingly committed to the pairing of Yabusele and Embiid, which means that prioritizing financial flexibility was the goal of this transaction  

Two days away from the trade deadline, the 76ers have lots of trade chips left. Center Andre Drummond ($5 million annual salary/$5 million player option) and guard Eric Gordon ($3.3 million annual salary/$3.5 player option) are players that Philadelphia could salary dump. 

Grade: A