Caleb Martin’s Struggles in Dallas Highlight a Smart Move by the Sixers
When the Philadelphia 76ers shipped Caleb Martin to Dallas ahead of last season’s trade deadline, it raised a few eyebrows. Martin had carved out a reputation as a dependable two-way contributor, the kind of player who could give you solid minutes off the bench and swing a playoff quarter or two. But fast forward to now, and it’s clear Philly may have been ahead of the curve.
Martin’s time with the Mavericks has been rocky, to put it mildly. He’s struggled to find a consistent role in Jason Kidd’s rotation, and the numbers tell a stark story.
Through limited action this season, Martin is averaging just 9.1 minutes per game - and the production has been almost nonexistent: 1.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists on 24.3% shooting from the field. His three-point percentage sits at a chilly 15.4%.
That’s a steep drop-off for a player who once looked like a reliable plug-and-play option on the wing.
Even with Dallas facing its own share of roster issues and inconsistency, Martin hasn’t been able to crack the lineup. He’s logged six DNPs so far this season and was inactive for another game entirely. That’s not just a cold streak - that’s a player who’s completely fallen out of favor with the coaching staff.
And it’s not just about the lack of production. The Mavericks are now on the hook for Martin’s contract, which runs for at least two more seasons at roughly $9.5 million annually.
That’s mid-level money for a rotation piece - but right now, Martin isn’t even in the conversation for meaningful minutes. For a team trying to maximize the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving window, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Dallas gave up Quentin Grimes to bring Martin in, hoping he’d be a steady veteran presence on the wing. Instead, they’ve got a player who’s struggling to find his footing and doesn’t appear to have a clear path back into the mix. The Mavericks already have a crowded forward group, and Martin hasn’t done much to separate himself from the pack.
From the Sixers’ perspective, this trade looks better by the day. Whether it was a calculated move based on internal evaluations or just good timing, Philadelphia moved off Martin before his downturn became obvious. They cleared a roster spot, avoided a multi-year financial commitment, and got a younger player in return with more upside.
Martin’s story isn’t over - NBA careers are rarely linear, and players have bounced back from worse slumps. But right now, his role in Dallas is minimal, and there’s no clear sign that it’s going to change anytime soon.
For the Sixers, that’s one less problem to manage. For the Mavericks, it’s a situation that’s becoming harder to ignore.