According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Miami Heat guard Caleb Martin is expected to decline his $7.13 million player option and become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
“Regarding free agency, Miami Heat swingman Caleb Martin is expected to decline his $7.13 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency for a bigger payday this summer, league sources told HoopsHype.”
Martin has spent the last three seasons of his career with the Heat. In that time, he has averaged 9.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. The guard’s most notable stretch of basketball came during the 2023 NBA Playoffs. En route to his first career NBA Finals appearance, Martin came up big during the postseason. Mostly off the bench, Martin averaged 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, he shot 52.9% from the field and 42.3% from the three-point line.
Miami Heat Guard Reportedly Opting Out of Contract
Caleb Martin Wants to Remain With the Miami Heat
After Miami’s first-round playoff exit to the eventual champion Boston Celtics, Martin spoke about his potential free agency. The 28-year-old made it clear he wants to stick around and stay with the Heat past this summer.
“Everybody knows I want to be here. I make that known,” Martin said toward the end of the season, making it clear that his preference is to return to the Heat this offseason. “That’s my goal is to be able to stay here, make it work. I want to be here as long as possible and for them to want me to come back. That’s my main goal.”
With Miami’s salary cap situation, it seems unlikely they will be able to re-sign Martin. If the Heat cannot retain him, Martin should be a desired free agent in the offseason. When he is hot, his three-point scoring is nearly unstoppable. He provides great depth and versatility. Additionally, although the Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets, Martin’s NBA Finals experience can prove valuable to a contending team.
Caleb Martin is expected to opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat and seek a bigger payday, per @MikeAScotto
“Miami Heat swingman Caleb Martin is expected to decline his $7.13 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency for a bigger payday this summer, league… pic.twitter.com/bkCUjGUpFC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 24, 2024
Another Miami Heat Free Agent Wants to Return
In addition to Martin, Heat forward Haywood Highsmith has expressed his desire to return to Miami as well. Highsmith, fresh off a career year, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. However, he spoke about wanting to stay in Miami this offseason.
“I’d love to stay in Miami for sure. I feel like I’ve built a great life out here. My daughter lives out here as well. If all things are close, I definitely would love to stay in Miami, but we’ll see when that time comes. I’ll still be the same person no matter how much I get paid or whatever happens. I’ll still be in the gym locked in and trying to win a championship.”
According to Scotto, Highsmith is expected to draw interest from numerous teams around the league.
