The Sixers and Mavericks have agreed to a trade, according to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter links), who reports that forward Caleb Martin is headed to Dallas in exchange for guard Quentin Grimes and Philadelphia’s 2025 second-round pick, which the Mavs acquired in a previous deal.
Martin, who signed a four-year, $35MM contract with the Sixers last summer that includes over $5MM in incentives and a 15% trade kicker, was one of several Philadelphia players afflicted by the injury bug in 2024/25, having been limited to 31 outings through the team’s first 48 games.
Martin has been out since January 10 due to a right hip strain, but appears to be nearing a return, having been listed as questionable to play on Tuesday.
When healthy, the 6’5″ forward was an effective role player for the 76ers, averaging 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 30.4 minutes per game. He has registered a .435/.379/.622 shooting line so far this season and provided solid, versatile defense on the wing.
Grimes, meanwhile, has enjoyed a strong bounce-back season in Dallas after being traded from the Pistons to the Mavericks last summer. The 24-year-old averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 22.8 minutes per night for the Mavs, with a .463/.398/.765 shooting line in 47 outings (12 starts). Like Martin, he’s considered a plus on defense.
As good as Grimes has been in his rotation role, his contract situation was uncertain beyond this season after he turned down a rookie scale extension offer from the Mavs last fall. Having not accepted that deal, which was reported to be worth in the neighborhood of $9MM annually for three years, Grimes was on track to become a restricted free agent during the summer of 2025.
By sending him to Philadelphia, Dallas will avoid going back to the negotiating table with Grimes and will instead get some multi-year cost certainty with Martin, who’s under contract through at least the 2026/27 season before he has to make a decision on his ’27/28 player option. Newly acquired guard Max Christie, who was dealt from the Lakers to the Mavs in the Luka Doncic/Anthony Davis blockbuster, figures to step into Grimes’ role in the backcourt.
The gap between Grimes’ $4.3MM cap hit and Martin’s $8.15MM salary means the Mavericks will go back into luxury tax territory as a result of the deal after having ducked that line in the Doncic trade. If Martin doesn’t waive his trade kicker, his cap charge would increase by another $1.04MM, according to cap expert Yossi Gozlan, who notes (via Twitter) that would leave Dallas just $171K below its first-apron hard cap.
If Martin receives his trade bonus, the Mavs will have to use one of their existing trade exceptions to acquire him, since Grimes’ salary wouldn’t quite be enough for salary-matching purposes. If Martin waives that bonus, Dallas could preserve its exceptions and use Grimes to match.
Whether or not Martin gives up his bonus, this move wouldn’t have been possible for the Mavs if Davis hadn’t waived his trade bonus as part of the deal that sent him to Dallas. He told reporters on Tuesday that he wanted to give general manager Nico Harrison the ability to improve the roster around him and Kyrie Irving as much as possible, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
“Trying to help the team,” Davis said. “Obviously you always want to get better and losing a monumental piece like Luka … it’s a lot, right? So I’m just trying to do my part and help Nico and the organization on how we can continuously get better. That’s just always the right thing to do.”
As for the Sixers, while they’re not throwing in the towel on the 2024/25 campaign following a disappointing 19-29 start, they’re clearly thinking about their future beyond this season in swapping out Martin for Grimes (who is five years younger) and a 2025 second-round pick while generating some tax savings.
The draft pick the Sixers are acquiring is technically the most favorable of their own and the Nuggets’ 2025 second-rounders, which will certainly be the Philadelphia pick.
As Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets, the 76ers will save about $6.7MM on their projected luxury tax bill as a result of this deal and move below the first tax apron. They’re still operating about $6.5MM above the tax line.
Why? Grimes was playing well for the Mavs?
Max Christie took his job. They also don’t have a backup PF. AD is playing most of his minutes at the 5 with Lively out until April.
AD definitely starting at PF that’s the whole reason got the trade so he can play PF
Why?
Mavs declare that they are on win-now mode
I declare that Mavs are on suicide mode
This is a down grade trade for Mavs
My Trade Grade
76ers get A
Mavs get D
Based on the lineup they have now, AD will be playing the 4 with Lively (when he returns) and Gafford sharing the minutes at the 5. He may play 5 at spot minutes but not full time.
They’re reporting that Vu for Gafford would be in the works. Not sure what else would be included.
WTF Vucevic? This Nico Harison guy really out here to kill every Mavs Fan body even if they are already dead.
Funny thing is that he preached defense identity, which Vu is the complete opposite of that lmao
How? Bulls are not offering 2 Firsts to Mavs
Gafford is 26, super strong
Vucevic is 34, getting weaker
Gonna play Daniel Gafford 48 minutes?
Mavs have three centers on their roster. AD is their PF. Whole point of trade, agree. Martin is a wing and better fit with Christie there.
HELLOOO????? Earth to Al. Lively is out for 2-3 months.
Dwight Powell hasn’t been an NBA player in 2 years. He’s averaging 1.5 PPG.
Gafford averages 22 MPG.
AD is very much a part of their center rotation. They’re not benching PJ Washington.
Mavericks are loading up for this year and next before going obsolete. Good win now trade for them. 76ers are selling to keep that pick from OKC?
I wouldn’t say trading martin away is selling
That’s true but they are shedding some salary off. Caleb was due $8.5M and $8.9 2026/27 before a $9.3M player option in 2027/28. Seems odd but I guess they needed a replacement for losing McCain.
Why would they be obsolete? Kyrie and KD both have 3 to 4 good years left and gafford and lively are both young. Their defense will be top notch
Danny, Kyrie has a player option next year and I think you are mentioning AD not KD lol. Gafford is reportedly on the block as well. I’m talking about in terms of marketability and exposure once Kyrie leaves and it’s only AD in Dallas.
Nico Harrison just doesn’t know what he is doing. Nico’s resume …. 1) Traded Luka Doncic for a bag of balls. …. 2) Told Jalen Brunson they would make a decision on his extension after the season. Brunson was pissed. Had a great season and proceeded to sign with the Knicks ….. 3) As a Nike executive completely botched a presentation to Steph Curry. At one point called him Seth, at another point put in a video meant to be shown to Kevin Durant. Steph then proceeded to sign with Under Armour.
I feel like Grimes just needs the right opportunity to become a Norman Powell-type guy. He’s definitely shown flashes when given heavy minutes.
Mavs made him and offer on a contract and it never was close
Powell has a career 22 USG%. Grimes is 16%.
Grimes’ career high (18% this season) is Powell’s career low. He’s not a scorer. Especially inside of 15 feet.
Good trade for Sixers. Martin is inconsistent and he can’t shoot. Grimes is u an off the ball player who can’t shoot hit spot up jumpers. Also at 6’5” he gives u length in the backcourt(which is small) when both Maxey/McCain are healthy
So Martin has larger contract than Grimes, scores less points, is inconsistent, and is currently injured. And the Mavs gave Philadelphia there second round pick back. (X-Files theme plays in background).
And on top of that, Mavs go back into luxury tax, which would cost them millions. (Not only the tax, but also the missed distribution)
Nico Harrison gunna be unable to set foot in Dallas after his reign of terror is over
Both are grimes and martin are 6’5. Grimes was a gonner when he didn’t sign contract extension with mavs. And mavs would have to dip into lux tax to resign him as he was a rfa
Why
Mavs fan here. Someone give me a reason to be happy :’(
The Cowboys let Mike McCarthy walk
This trade just shows Nico does not like to be at the negotiating table.
I was thinking the same thing. It’s become a theme. Doesn’t bode well for players wanting to stay in Dallas long term
Nico just sent a message to the entire NBA that “long term in Dallas” is a meaningless concept as far as the Mavs are concerned.
He’ll be doing trades only forcing the players to play in Dallas due to being traded and not due to them signing there.
According to him trading luka for Davis was all about timeline and the best option for win now and the future. His words, lol.
Solid trade for both teams.
Sixers get a starting SG to play next to Maxey. They’ve been starting Eric Gordon, and McCain ain’t that guy when healthy.
Martin flubbed as a starting PF. They need to turn Oubre/Martin/Drummond into something more reliable, but the options are slim. Someone like Miles Bridges would fit. I would not be in on Kyle Kuzma but he’s probably the only reasonably attainable option.
Martin is also cost controlled – Grimes will be looking for a larger contract in RFA.
Given Dallas’ commitment to “win-now”, this makes sense. At least as much sense as going from Luka to AD.
As a FORMER mavs fan. I think dallas should of kept grimes or traded him for a different expiring pf or just let grimes walk after season. Or use him In a sign and trade to get something BETTER back. Martin was great with heat but hasn’t been anything since. I don’t like the move for dallas
Who is making trades on the Mavs? Does Nico Harrison really still have a job?
Really good move for the Mavs
Grimes seems to get better with the minutes he gets. Morey has a great eye for Talent. I like the move and I can,’t stand Philly.
Mavs trying to load up
Sixers get younger and now have more cap flexibility.
A lot of nba exec think martin money is a negative vaule
Not sure if Sixers will commit to Grimes. He’s a good addition. Can guard 2/3 and is really a 2. Good shooter too.
I think this is good for both teams. Unfortunately the Sixers could be tanking soon. So I will keep an eye on Grimes. Knicks sure could use him.
Grimes has been misused at times so far in his career, and I’m sure Philly will do so again, similarly to other similar players they had in the last few years.
That being said, this makes sense for both rosters, and the guys you expect them to use; for Dallas, they could probably use the more proper 3 and D wing/guard that Caleb gives them, to fit in more with guys like Klay/Christie, and also give them some guard defense, besides exum, next to Kyrie. Really like this for Dallas
For Philly, it gets rid of some redundancies, and they could use Grimes’ catch and shoot after losing Mccain (i completely forgot they had Eric Gordon, but Grimes hopefully will get those opportunities, considering where they are right now)
I am absolutely against the Doncic trade, but I understand what the Mavs try. They avoid Doncic Supermax on the books an get with Christie and Martin two more players with managable long term contracts (they already have Hardy) which become more an more important under the new CBA. The already had a lot of guards under contract and see no need to fulfill Grimes salary wishes next offseason. Martin can play the 3 or 4.
Gafford will start at Center, Davis at PF, Washington filling in for both, then Martin,. They need guys who can shoot threes with Davis playing next to a non shooting center.
Aquiring Davis means, that Gafford ist tradable next season. He ist definitely worth a first round pick (the Lakers would have loved him being part of the trade). Pairing him with another pick – the Lakers one – means the Mavs have a good chance to make a significant roster uprade at guard or small forward in the offseason.
This is their plan – as wrong as trading Doncic ist, it is at least a plan. It has to bring an championship the next two seasons or Harrison ist fired.
He will be fired.
This is a great trade for the Mavericks. I am a Caleb Martin fan through and through. He’s super athletic, tries hard on defense and is actually a good defensive player, plays way bigger than his size, has an an improved three-point shot.
Martin is playoff tested and has played huge roles with the heat in crunch time and during their run. They were disappointed to lose him, but it was time to get paid.
Mavs get lucky here especially considering Grimes will want to get paid also this offseason , so why risk it ?Now they bring in a guy already under contract.
We all know Nico Harrison doesn’t want any complicated phone calls this summer lol
I would have kept Grimes. I get not wanting to go into the RFA market when you’re likely to put a hard cap in place relatively quickly in the off season. But perhaps it’s another case of the DAL FO thinking too much.
Grimes was on his way to being a solid 2 way starting SG with the NYK. Just a bit to reticent with his outside shot, but that’s not the worst sin for a young player. He didn’t respond well to a slump and Donte’s emergence, but I saw no reason to trade him. He certainly would have helped them more than BB ended up doing.
Gary, Now that the dust has settled on the big trade, enquiring minds want to know: what is up with PJ Washington!? AD just took his position.
Maybe GSW can pick up PJ for Kuminga, Moody and a protected first? Trade machine says it’s a go.
:–)
Macs: buy high, sell low
Mavs have lost their s**t. Overpaid for Klay. Trade the second best player in the world for the ever reliable Davis. Grimes was balling so we’ll ship him out for a guy who really hasn’t played well since shooting the ball like Ray Allen against Boston years ago now.