Daryl Morey and the front office have had multiple strokes of genius this offseason alone while retooling the Philadelphia 76ers after yet another disappointing finish to their campaign in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Armed with more pecuniary ammo than anyone, the franchise aggressively approached free agency, and boy did they milk the hell out of every cent.
Aside from Paul George, who somehow landed in Philly despite initial reports of him staying in LA, the entire 76ers brass managed to fill up the roster with desirable role players who fit right into the team’s dynamic. As a result, the club is reckoned to be an early favorite to carve out a path toward the championship.
New 76ers forward Caleb Martin named as the ninth-best value contract in the NBA
Given the new CBA rules, contract disparity, and the ever-so-few amount of teams with actual financial legroom, there has been more bargain bin signings in the league than in the past. Heck, the 76ers have one on their team in the form of Caleb Martin, whom the franchise plucked off the market to the tune of four years and $35 million.
Bleacher Report ranked Martin’s contract as the ninth-best in the league — an unsurprising assessment in account of his camp’s oversight when they turned down a much more lucrative offer from his former team. Miami offered as much as $65 million, but he and his agent thought they would be able to extract some more out of another bidder. Unfortunately for him, there was never a sweepstake.
Martin, who is only a full year removed from being a key cog for a team that made the NBA Finals, joins a Philadelphia team that fits him like a glove. Next to high-usage stars in Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and fellow newcomer George, he should be able to fully showcase his skills as an auxiliary player who can do it all to a passable degree on both ends of the court.
Barring anything that boots him out right from the get-go, he should get a starting nod to begin the season for the 76ers. And unless you’re the disingenuous kind, signing a starting-caliber player for just $9 million annually is easily a massive bargain.