The Philadelphia 76ers have had quite the offseason and Daryl Morey deserves a ton of credit for building what looks like a Championship-quality roster. The talent is there on paper, now let's see how that translates to the court.
Of course, the headline-grabbing move was signing Paul George on a four-year, $212 million deal. He seems like a natural fit with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and his arrival is widely considered to have transformed the 76ers into Championship contenders.
George is a 9-time All-Star. It is easy to understand and appreciate the hype around the move.
At the same time, the 76ers have made other smart additions to their roster this summer too. Signing Caleb Martin on a four-year, $32 million contract has to be one of them, no matter which way you look at it.
In the article 'Every NBA Team's Biggest X-Factor for 2024-25 Season' on Bleacher Report , Grant Hughes wrote: "Always a hard-hustling scrapper after going undrafted and struggling to carve out a role in the NBA, Martin is going to bring energy and toughness above all else. When his outside shot is also falling, he becomes something entirely different.
"Just ask the Boston Celtics, who couldn't survive a seven-game Martin onslaught that included 19.3 points per game and 48.9 percent three-point shooting in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.
"Martin wasn't his best self last season, as his overall shooting efficiency hit a three-year low. There's no guarantee he can rediscover his top form. If he can, Philadelphia will be dangerous for reasons other than its stars."
Martin is believed to have turned down an extension from the Miami Heat that would have seen him earn $65 million over five seasons before he ultimately signed for the 76ers in free agency for almost half that.
The decision to turn down the Heat's contract offer has been viewed as a major mistake by most fans. It looks like Martin's camp misjudged the level of interest he was gonna draw this summer in free agency.
But it has landed Martin in a team where his chances of competing for a ring have increased. Also, he is projected to be the 76ers' starting power forward next season. How he adjusts to that role remains to be seen.
It does feel like the 76ers have signed a player of his calibre on a bargain. He has shown his ability to deliver in the post-season already and if we get that version of Martin in Philadelphia, opposition teams will have a lot more to worry about than just the trio of George, Embiid and Maxey.
Related: How James Harden Helped 76ers Sign Paul George
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