Miami Heat: What They Might See In Caleb Martin That Made Them Bite

The Miami Heat brought in former Charlotte Hornets wing on Tuesday, Caleb Martin, signing him to a two-way deal. While it may not be the sexiest pickup, you have to believe that the Miami Heat see something in Martin that makes him worth their second and final two-way slot.

What could they see when they look at Martin though? Here is something, for starters.

6’5″ and manning multiple positions throughout his basketball career, it was sort of the same phenomenon at play with Martin and his brother, Cody, as there was with another of his big-club team members, Markieff Morris. The “twins” factor, aside, it’s about deployment.

With the Morris twins and though Marcus Morris has typically been the more perimeter-oriented player, he and his brother could practically be interchangeable at Kansas and when they’ve played together in the league. Outside of the identical appearances, their games and skillsets so closely mirror each other as well.

The Miami Heat aren’t shy or hesitant to collect young talent. They might’ve did it again, bringing in another 3 & D type guy in Caleb Martin.

The same thing is present with the Martins. Regardless of position and prior to college, most big time basketball players end up manning the four or five slot, because they are typically the biggest players on their lower-level teams.

You can imagine the same was for Caleb. Though starting at NC State, along with his twin brother, they would both eventually end up at Nevada.

While at Nevada, they were wing players/power forwards, if you have to put a position on it. They were basically positionless floaters that manned the forward or wing spots.

What do those guys typically become in the league? Think Robert Covington, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder or any other power forward type in college with an expanded skill set.

That means that the Miami Heat see a prime 3 & D candidate in Martin. They should though, because that’s exactly what he is.

While he still has some work to do, of course, that’s been the Martin’s calling card since they bursted onto the scene heading into the Nevada NCAA Tournament run that made them notable names.

That would be their effort and intensity on both sides of the ball, especially defending. That’s, likely, what the Miami Heat brought Caleb in to do and see how much of that he has on the pro level.

While the Miami Heat might’ve been better served, from this angle, by giving that final two-way slot to one of their own young guys, Javonte Smart perhaps, this isn’t a terrible way to use it. Hopefully, Martin finds himself on the big club, for at least a few games, possibly solidifying these explanations and theories along the way.