Best offseason bargain named the Philadelphia 76ers’ X-factor in 2024-25

Part and parcel of the Philadelphia 76ers being widely considered as the team that turned in the best offseason was the fact that they managed to sign Paul George outright in free agency. From a team with a blurry outlook despite a couple of legitimate stars in the fold, the franchise is now firmly cemented as a bona fide title contender next season.

The front office’s savvy ventures, however, did not stop with just snagging the nine-time All-Star. As some people know, the 76ers did strike a handful of bargains this summer, including Caleb Martin, a starting-caliber wing who left significant money on the table and ultimately ended up in Philly on a massive discounted deal.

Caleb Martin named the 76ers’ X-factor next season

Martin, who co-spearheaded a Miami Heat Finals run not too long ago, arrives in situation that perfectly suits him well. Even beyond the constrained expectations levied on a bargain addition, he is going to be a crucial part of the 76ers for as long as he’s here, starting next season.

In fact, Bleacher Report named him the team’s X-factor in the upcoming campaign. Philadelphia sorely needed ammunition at forward following the mass exodus of their own free agents from last season, and pegging George as an all-encompassing fix is a gamble given his age and injury history.

While more of a natural swingman, Martin has ample experience playing one position up and actually thriving, especially as a connector on both ends. Offensively, while a master of none, he’s a jack-of-all-trades — a motif the 76ers coaching staff would appreciate after seeing the effect Nicolas Batum had on the tidying-up department last season.

On defense, Martin fits particularly well in team concepts. He can latch onto any perimeter-oriented opponent with relative ease and has the natural attributes that should make him a quick study under Nick Nurse’s wily and mercurial schemes.

Overall, signing Caleb Martin, especially at the amount they managed to, is already a tremendous win for the Philadelphia 76ers. Even better, it should be one that will keep on giving thanks to him being a perfect fit within the squad’s dynamic.