Unemployed NBA star who’s earned $16m and reached Finals last year lands career lifeline on Philadelphia 76ers
EX-MIAMI Heat star Caleb Martin will get another shot at a championship ring next season.
The 6-foot-5 forward has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
Martin, 28, inked a four-year, $32 million deal with the Sixers, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The former Nevada standout's arrival is another major free agency win for Philadelphia.
The title hopefuls previously have also signed Paul George, Eric Gordon, and Andre Drummond this summer.
Martin bid farewell to South Beach on Sunday.
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"Three years I'll never forget," he wrote in an Instagram Story.
Martin's move follows "intense" contract negotiations with the Heat that eventually fell through, per Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson.
After declining his $7.1 million player option for 2024-25, the forward reportedly turned down a five-year, $65 million deal offered by Miami.
"Martin camp thought Heat was trying to force him to take what Martin rep thought was below market deal and made that clear," Jackson reported Saturday.
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"Heat thought this was very good offer (it was) and made that very clear."
Martin — who's earned $16.1 million in his career so far — ended up signing with the Sixers on a salary that's $5 million lower on average than what the Heat offered.
The North Carolina native became a starter on a championship contender despite going undrafted in 2019.
He first signed with the Heat on a two-way contract in 2021 following a two-year stint with the Charlotte Hornets.
Martin made the 2023 NBA Finals with Miami, but they eventually fell 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets.
Last season, he averaged career-highs in points (10.0) and assists (2.2) while adding 4.4 rebounds per game.
Highest contracts in NBA history
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics - 5 years, $314 million
- Jaylen Brown, Celtics - 5 years, $285.4 million
- Nikola Jokic, Nuggets - 5 years, $276.1 million
- Bradley Beal, Suns - 5 years, $251 million (signed with Washington)
- Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves - 5 years, $244.6 million
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers - 5 years, $244.6 million
Per Spotrac
The forward also shot 34.9% from 3 on 3.6 attempts per game.
Martin is expected to start at the 4 in Philadelphia, joining MVP center Joel Embiid in the Sixers' frontcourt, according to ESPN.
Philly ended the 2023-24 campaign with a 47-35 record.
They exited the playoffs in the first round after losing the series with the New York Knicks in six games.
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The Sixers have been waiting for another championship since the early 1980s.
They have won three titles so far, in 1955, 1967, and 1983.