Just days after shocking the basketball world and sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks have made another trade. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Mavericks are trading Quentin Grimes to the Philadelphia 76ers for Caleb Martin. Charania also reported that the 76ers are getting their own second-round pick back in this deal.
Dallas is sending Quentin Grimes
and Philadelphia’s 2025 second-round pick back to the 76ers for Martin, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/4vSqohB03U— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2025
The NBA Trade Deadline is just over 48 hours away. Despite already making a few moves, the Mavericks will continue to be a team to monitor.
Dallas Mavericks Land Sharpshooter in First Deal After Luka Doncic Trade
What Caleb Martin Brings to Dallas
Martin signed a four-year, $35 million contract with Philadelphia last offseason. As an elite three-point specialist, this was widely considered a relatively team-friendly deal. Through 31 games (including 24 starts) with the 76ers, Martin averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals. He also shot 43.5% from the field and 37.9% from the three-point line during that span.
The 29-year-old also has extensive playoff experience and played a crucial role in the Miami Heat‘s 2023 NBA Finals run.
Why the Philadelphia 76ers Traded for Quentin Grimes
Like Martin in Philadelphia, Grimes also had a short stint with his former team before the trade. The Mavericks traded for Grimes from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Tim Hardaway Jr. last offseason. Through 24-year-old played 47 games for the Mavericks and started 12 of them. With Dallas, Grimes averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 39.8% from beyond the arc.
While Martin is under contract for a few more years, Grimes is in the midst of a contract year. However, since he is still on his rookie deal, he will most likely hit restricted free agency.
Martin is a solid player, but Grimes has more upside. Additionally, the 76ers (mostly due to injuries) remain arguably the most disappointing team in the league this season. Making a minor trade to shake things up could be a good call for the long haul.
The Last Word
This trade does not drastically change the trajectory of either team’s season. However, it could prove to be a good deal for both sides since both players offer a lot on the court. Regardless, both teams are aiming for a push in the second half of the season, and only time will tell how the deal ages.
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