Philly Front Office

The Caleb Martin era in Philly has ended. The Sixers best contract was just swapped for a Quentin Grimes, a younger and potentially better version of Martin but with less control. Also, our prodigal 2025 2nd round pick has returned, fresh off what it called a “gap year” to “find itself.” Hopefully, the pick has itself straightened out and ready to get a job as a productive basketball player this summer.

What are we giving up?

Martin looked to be a total steal this off season, coming from Miami after they got capped out of resigning him. He looked like the perfect complement to everyone on the roster, a guy who could defend, shoot, and kill the Celtics specifically. Well, as players are wont to do, Martin kind of forgot how to shoot when he got here and has been mostly injured. Outside of the Celtics game on Christmas, Martin has underwhelmed.

Aside from Maxey, I thought Martin would be the last player to be traded this deadline. His skillset is exactly what contending teams need. No, I am not fooling myself for this season. His 4 year, $35m contract runs 3 more full years. This is what I don’t get about this. That contract is an absolute steal and would be even more valuable next season assuming good Martin health. Why trade it?

I am cheating obviously. This was written Wednesday morning rather than Monday when it happened. We have now learned that fellow Martin, KJ, will also be traded and likely for nothing. I wouldn’t even be surprised if it is just for a swap of second rounders. The Sixers are moving money off their books. This isn’t bad money either, this is moving good money. KJ Martin was signed specifically to move in a bigger deal, this year or next. By moving him now and for nothing, the Sixers are just lighting an asset on fire. That doesn’t seem like good basketball business, does it? That’s because it isn’t. This is purely a financial play for Josh Harris.

Dallas has two reasons for making this trade. First, as the Luka trade showed, Dallas is motivated to turn all of their mid-20s guys into 30-year-olds for some reason. Second, he helps the team now and in the future. Because of his great contract, Dallas knows that they have a prime asset that can do any of helping their team now, allow them to budget the next few years, and/or be used in a trade. THESE ARE EXACTLY THE REASONS THE SIXERS SHOULD HAVE KEPT HIM!!!

What are we getting out of this?

Grimes is a 3 and D shooter who is 5 years younger than Martin. That’s good. He is also not under contract after this year. That’s bad. However, he is a restricted free agent that won’t see much of a market aside from exceptions that the Sixers can match. That’s good. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that they resign him. That’s bad. But he comes with a free frogurt…I mean second round pick. That’s good.

After being drafted by the Knicks, Grimes has bounced around the last 2 seasons between NY, Detroit, Dallas, and now Philly. I was always under the impression that Knicks fans were happy to see him go. I could not have been more wrong. One of my Knicks friends immediately praised him and sent me this video of Grimes getting hurt, recovering, D’ing up Jimmy Butler while limping, and stealing the ball. That kind of player will acclimate nicely with the local faithful.

On the business side of things, Grimes is making about half that of Caleb Martin this year. As a restricted free agent, he has 3 options next season. First, the Sixers can simply extend him. They have his Bird Rights, so they can exceed the salary cap to sign him to whatever contract they want. Second, he can sign an offer sheet with any team. This is basically agreeing to contract terms with another team, but the Sixers will have the right to match the contract within 48 hours and keep him. Third, he signs a 1-year qualifying offer with the Sixers for $5.8m that will allow him to become a restricted free agent the following year.

If Grimes resigns in Philly for anything like the Martin contract, this is a good piece of business. Magically turning a 29-year-old into a 24-year-old and getting our own pick back is something Daryl can hang his hat on. What’s the harm in offering him the Martin contract as soon as possible, 4y/$35m?

Keep in mind one thing if he does not resign: Josh Harris will be using the money he saved to help the Commanders buy free agents.