The Philadelphia 76ers have shipped out Caleb Martin to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Quentin Grimes and the Sixers’ own 2025 second-round pick. Martin, who had just signed a four-year, $35 million contract in the offseason, is now on the move after less than a year in Philadelphia.
Over 31 games played with the Sixers, Martin averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per night on 43.5/37.9/62.2 shooting splits. While Martin was one of the biggest free agent signings for Philadelphia this offseason, he struggled to find a consistent place in the lineup for the same reason as many Sixers this season: injury.
With Quentin Grimes, the Sixers acquired a 24-year-old shooting guard who is about to hit restricted free agency after this season. Through 47 games this season, Grimes has been an impressive shooter and defender for the Mavericks. The former New York Knick and Maverick is averaging 10.2 points a night on nearly 39.8% shooting from beyond the arc.
Philadelphia had been rumored to be looking for future restricted free agents who had not yet agreed on an extension. Being a restricted free agent this offseason, the Sixers have the right to match any offer sheet Grimes signs this offseason. They can also move Grimes in a sign-and-trade if the two sides remain too far apart on a deal.
In this trade, the Sixers also receive their second-round pick back from the Dallas Mavericks. Considering their 19-29 record, Philadelphia’s second-round pick holds some value, currently sitting as the 37th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Philadelphia is surely thrilled to have acquired both a young, proven two-way guard, as well as their second-round pick back. The pick was initially sent to Oklahoma City for George Hill before being sent to Dallas. The Sixers had zero draft picks in the 2025 NBA Draft and now could end up with currently a top pick in the second round, should the Sixers fail to turn their season around.
With this move, the Sixers saved $4.3 million for this season and have shed Martin’s remaining $26.9 million over the next three years. The Sixers moved out of the first apron, sitting $472,882 between themselves and the apron.
This move could be a first step into a potential plan to keep fan favorite Guerschon Yabusele in town past this offseason, though the Sixers have a fair bit more salary to move off of before that is possible.
Philadelphia will miss Martin’s toughness and willingness to do the little things; however, Grimes provides the Sixers with a younger, arguably better player overall who fits well next to should-be All-Star Tyrese Maxey.
