The Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly eyeing 76ers wing Caleb Martin, but that option is no longer available as ESPN’s Sham Charania reported that the Dallas Mavericks are acquiring the versatile forward in exchange for shooting guard Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-rounder.
Dallas is sending Quentin Grimes
and Philadelphia’s 2025 second-round pick back to the 76ers for Martin, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/4vSqohB03U— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2025
Now that Chicago has traded Zach Lavine to the Kings, Milwaukee has been exploring less gaudy areas of the market, targeting the likes of Martin and Kyle Kuzma. Charlotte’s lesser of the Martin twins, Cody, is still available. If general manager Jon Horst plans to make a move for anyone, he should stop waiting around.
Milwaukee Bucks Miss Out on a Caleb Martin, Dallas Mavericks Get Valuable Defender
If this is the haul the 76ers were expecting for Martin, then his price tag may have been more than Milwaukee was willing to pay, anyway, for a role player that has been out injured since January 10. Averaging 10.2 PPG and 3.8 RPG in 22.8 minutes per night, with 46.3/39.8/76.5% shooting splits, Grimes himself is the type of player the Bucks wouldn’t mind employing as a backup point guard.
When Lillard isn’t on the floor, they have relied on Khris Middleton or Giannis Antetokounmpo to run the point. Gary Trent Jr., primarily a shot creator and shooter, is the next closest thing they have.
All of this to say that Grimes is a lot to give up along with draft capital for a player of similar skill level. However, he is on an expiring contract, a risk to walk away for nothing if Dallas didn’t flip him. In year one of a 4-year, $35 million deal, Martin brings a few advantages that the team was evidently looking for–namely, defensive tenacity and physicality, qualities that likely interested the Bucks as well. While he has only an inch on Grimes, he plays up in size.
What Now?
With Caleb gone, his brother Cody remains in the market. Of the two, he was the more attainable option anyway, given that he is not the defender his brother is and that Charlotte is in full-on tank mode and would not require as much of a return.
In fact, it isn’t even clear that the trade was a sell by the 76ers as much as a move that improves both teams while Grimes’ expiring contract better fits Philadelphia’s 2024-25 trajectory. Caleb had been injured, but the 76ers can insert Grimes into the rotation right away.
Despite trading Luka Doncic for the Lakers’ Anthony Davis, the 26-24 Mavs remain grounded in the Western Conference playoff standings. Short-term, Davis might even be a better fit for the roster without Luka bogging down the pace. Dallas intends to compete this season and swapping Martin for Grimes should not harm their chances in 2024-25. It also gives them a useful piece for future years.
Obviously, the Bucks also have postseason success in mind, and a deep playoff run at that. Sputtering recently, they have lost 5 of 6 en route to a 26-22 record and dropped to 5th in the East. This team plans to contend for a title, but the last two road trips have showcased what happens when a crucial role player (Bobby Portis) goes out and an aging roster starts to wear thin.
Milwaukee needs depth, they need Portis back or another big, and ideally they need a third scorer. Without at least some of those things, it is hard to imagine them winning multiple playoff series. Fans can only hope that Horst pulls the trigger here soon.
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