The Philadelphia 76ers are considered the team that had the best offseason thanks to the fact that they managed to sign Paul George in free agency. From a team with unclear prospects despite some legitimate stars in the fold, the franchise is now firmly cemented as a real contender for the title next season.
The management’s shrewd moves weren’t limited to acquiring the nine-time All-Star, however. As some know, the 76ers I managed to do some business this summer, including Caleb Martin, a starting-caliber winger who left a lot of money on the table and ultimately ended up in Philly on a huge, discounted contract.
Martin, who recently led the Miami Heat to the Finals, comes into a situation that is a perfect fit for him. Even beyond the limited expectations imposed by a cheap draft, he’s going to be a crucial part of the 76ers for as long as he’s here, starting next season.
In fact, Bleacher Report he called him the team’s X-factor in the upcoming campaign. Philadelphia was in dire need of ammunition up front after last season’s mass exodus of its own free agents, and viewing George as a one-stop solution is a risky bet given his age and injury history.
While he’s more of a natural winger, Martin has plenty of experience playing one position and really thrives, particularly as a connector on both ends. Offensively, while not a master of any one area, he’s a jack-of-all-trades — a trait the 76ers’ staff would appreciate after seeing the impact Nicolas Batum had on the scoring department last season.
On defense, Martin fits particularly well into team concepts. He can lock onto any perimeter-oriented opponent with relative ease and has the natural attributes that should make him a quick student in Nick Nurse’s crafty, changeable schemes.
Overall, the signing of Caleb Martin, especially considering the amount of money they were able to get, is already a huge win for the Philadelphia 76ers. Better yet, they should continue to be grateful for him, as he fits perfectly into the team dynamic.
Next. Trade Value Rankings. Ranking the 13 Philadelphia 76ers players by trade value.
