To pursue a championship with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, he so accepted a different contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Oh, and he had no remorse when he signed his deal.
Thus, he says.
Martin signed a four-year contract with the 76ers that is guaranteed to bring him more than $32 million, turning down a deal that would have earned him almost $95 million over the following five seasons to stay in Miami.
“Only specific elements proved ineffective,” Martin remarked on Tuesday at the Sixers’ New Jersey complex. There were a lot of activities that occurred behind the scenes. In the end, that choice was made after much consideration. Numerous factors had a part in how everything transpired. It’s too late to change the past, though. I’m excited to be here, to be a part of Philadelphia, and to try to give it my all in an effort to try and win a championship. That’s my current primary concern.”
Over the course of five seasons, including the final three with the Heat, the 28-year-old Martin averaged 8.5 points. Martin gained a reputation for elevating his game during the playoffs in Miami.
In Philly, where the 76ers have redesigned their squad following yet another early postseason departure, he’ll probably take over a starter position that was left vacant. They signed George away from the Clippers with a contract worth over $400 million, which allowed them to retain their homegrown All-Star guard, Maxey, for an additional five years. Kelly Oubre Jr. was re-signed by team president Daryl Morey, who also signed free agents Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond. For a team that hasn’t made it past the second round since 2001, the win-now strategies are meant to keep them competitive with NBA champion Boston and exert pressure on New York, Indiana, and even Milwaukee to at least continue to be a danger in the East.
Maxey and the Sixers reached an agreement in principle for a $204 million, five-year contract extension, while George and the organisation reached a $212 million, four-year free agency pact.
After attending Nevada and North Carolina State for a while, Martin was not selected in the college draft. There were hardly any assurances when he joined the NBA. The G League was where he had to play. He was fired by Charlotte after two seasons.
He might be the starting power forward for a team that hasn’t won an NBA championship since 1983 when 2024 rolls around.
In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals in 2023, Martin scored a postseason career-high 26 points on Boston’s home court. He averaged 19.3 points on 60% shooting. Against No. 1 Milwaukee and No. 5 New York in the first two rounds of that season, he performed admirably, averaging 10.8 points on over 53% shooting.
Even though Martin’s decision to come to Philadelphia came at a high cost — and a great bargain for the Sixers — it’s one of the reasons the 76ers and Heat both wanted him on their squads.
“I mean, you’re always going to wish you can make as much money as you can,” Martin stated. It’s a natural aspect of both life and the game. You experience life and gain knowledge. You accept risks. It doesn’t always work; occasionally it does.”
