The new-look Philadelphia 76ers are hoping that the acquired reinforcements will lead to a deeper playoff run in 2025. One of those reinforcements is Caleb Martin who signed with the team on a four-year, $32 million deal. Reports are that Martin rejected a five-year, $65 million deal to return to the Miami Heat. The soon-to-be, 29-year-old Martin has proven to be a versatile role player who brings a lot to the table for contending teams, but what will he provide for the Sixers in the 2024-25 season?
1. Caleb Martin fits well alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey
Surrounding stars such as Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and even Paul George, you need guys who aren’t afraid to shoot the ball from deep and play defense. Caleb Martin is a capable three-and-D player who will bring stability to the rotation.
Martin can either start alongside George at forward, or be the team’s resident Swiss Army knife off the bench. Either way, his skill set is flexible enough for the coaching staff to trot him out in various configurations.
2. Three-Point Shooting
While Caleb Martin isn’t a top-tier shooter in the NBA, he has proven to be capable of knocking down shots. In 64 games with Miami last season, Martin shot 35% from 3-point territory on 3.6 attempts per game. Similarly, with the 76ers, Tobias Harris shot 35% on 3.7 attempts per game last season. In the 2021-22 season, Martin shot over 41% from 3-point territory in 60 games.
We would be remiss to not mention Martin’s outstanding shooting en route to Miami’s NBA Finals appearance in 2023. In 23 games, Martin averaged 12.7 points while shooting 42.3% on 4.5 3-point attempts per game. Undoubtedly, that kind of shooting in the playoffs would create major problems for opposing defenses.
3. Defensive Versatility
Martin, at 6’5” with great length, athleticism, and quickness is capable of guarding several positions. While he primarily guards other wings, he is a viable option to guard 1 through 4 in the lineup.
Ultimately, the 76ers were in need of a player like Caleb Martin and their acquiring him is a massive pick-up. In recent history, the Sixers have had role players who were liabilities on one end of the floor. To name a few, the list includes the likes of Matisse Thybulle, Seth Curry, and Georges Niang. With wings like Caleb Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr., Sixers fans should be excited about the quality of their team’s depth heading into the new season.
