The Miami Heat might be in danger of losing one of their key players to free agency, according to Mike Scotto of HoopsHype.
The veteran NBA reporter wrote in his latest column that Caleb Martin would likely decline his $7.13 million player option with the Miami Heat as he will test the open market this offseason.
“Miami Heat swingman Caleb Martin is expected to decline his $7.13 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency for a bigger payday this summer, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote on Monday. “Martin has shot 37 percent during his three seasons with the Heat, and should he depart in free agency, Miami will have to replace his floor spacing.”
Caleb Martin could command a higher salary this summer because he is coming off a career year with the Miami Heat, averaging 10.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in 64 regular-season games (23 starts). In the postseason, the 28-year-old swingman averaged 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Caleb Martin is reportedly keen on staying with the Miami Heat
Caleb Martin said in his exit interview he would rather stay in South Beach for as long as possible, although he isn’t sure what the future holds for him.
“Everybody knows I want to be here. I make that known,” Martin said via ClutchPoints’ Zachary Weinberger. “That’s my goal is to be able to stay here, make it work. I want to be here as long as possible and for them to want me to come back. That’s my main goal.”
Barry Jackson from the Miami Herald reported in April that Caleb Martin could fetch nearly $13 million in annual salary because of his reputation of being a solid rotation guy for a winning team.