The Dallas Mavericks aren’t done making moves. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania announced that the Mavericks are sending guard Quentin Grimes and a second-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for wing Caleb Martin. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison continues to adjust to the roster. He hopes that Martin can help bolster a team that recently added Anthony Davis and Max Christie in a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Martin’s Philadelphia tenure has come to an end after just 31 games. He signed with the Sixers during the offseason after spending the previous three years with the Miami Heat. While with the Heat, Martin proved to be a valuable playoff contributor. During Miami’s 2023 run to the NBA Finals, Martin averaged 12.7 PPG and 5.4 RPG in 30.2 MPG. He’s shot over 40-percent from three across 45 career postseason games.
The Mavericks will need Martin to continue shooting well from three with Grimes on the move. Grimes was in his first year as a Maverick and enjoying a strong campaign (39.8 3PT%). The 76ers are getting the younger of the two players (Martin is 29, Grimes is 24), in addition to adding another draft pick.
A big part of Dallas’ motivation to make this deal is likely the current contract for both players. Martin signed a four-year/$35 million deal with the 76ers over the summer. He’s under control until at least the 2027 season, with a player option for 2028. Grimes is a restricted free agent after this year, and a team may be interested in signing him to an offer sheet after his strong campaign.
With the Mavs completing two trades in the last week, they’ll have a new feel to the roster. They’ve added three players that will be impact players on the defensive end. The starting lineup — for now — will likely consist of Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis, and Daniel Gafford.
Martin and Christie could end up playing their way into that group. Otherwise, they join a bench that includes Naji Marshall, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jaden Hardy, Dante Exum, and Olivier Maxence-Prosper. Stud sophomore Dereck Lively II has been on the mend since Jan. 14 but is set to be reevaluated in the next couple of weeks.
Harrison took a big gamble shipping out a 25-year-old superstar. He’s trying to build a team that is more focused on the defensive end. When the roster is fully healthy, it will certainly be tough to score on Dallas’ frontcourt. It just remains to be seen how the Mavericks will find consistent offense now that Dončić is gone.
