The Miami Heat will have to choose their battles.
With almost $160 million committed to just five players for the upcoming season, there’s not that much money available for other players.
That’s why some of their most prominent contributors will be forced to walk away from the team.
According to a report by Heat beat writer Ira Winderman, veteran swingman Caleb Martin will decline his player option for the upcoming campaign (Via NBA Central).
Caleb Martin is expected to leave the Heat in free agency, per @IraHeatBeat pic.twitter.com/qLVowOCCLs
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 29, 2024
Martin’s player option is worth $7.1 million, and it’s safe to say that he’s outplayed that market value, which is why it’s not much of a surprise to see him make this decision.
Of course, we shouldn’t rule out a reunion, but the Heat will have to pay up to get him.
Just last offseason, Gabe Vincent landed a three-year deal worth $33 million with the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Cleveland Cavaliers gave Max Strus a four-year, $62.3 million contract.
Given Martin’s role in their trip to the NBA Finals two seasons ago, he could be expected to land a similar deal, being an ideal 3-and-D contributor for multiple teams.
In 64 appearances last season, the 6-foot-5 swingman scored 10.0 points per game and grabbed 4.4 rebounds.
Those numbers are more impressive if you consider the factor that he rarely had any plays drawn up for him and he was far from the team’s go-to guy.
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