Miami Heat: Caleb Martin Is Excelling As A Two-Way Player

On September 14, the Miami Heat signed Caleb Martin as one of their two-way players entering into the 2021-22 NBA Season. Martin played in all four preseason games for the Heat, starting once against his former team and the team of his twin brother Cody, the Charlotte Hornets.

During the four preseason games he played, he averaged a total of 7.2 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game on something around 36 percent shooting.

After 13 games (including Thursday night’s game against the Wizards), Caleb Martin is averaging 5.5 points per game, 0.7 assists per game, and 2.8 rebounds per game. He’s doing so on 45.3 percent shooting from the field and across 15.8 minutes per game.

This might be a subpar stats for other Miami Heat fans, but his production and contributions on the court help the Heat win crucial games. His ability to defend guards on opposing teams and his ability to finish near-the-basket attempts are insane.

The Miami Heat currently have 14 players on regular contracts and two on two-ways. It wouldn’t shock if Caleb Martin got a regular deal.

He continues to bring a much needed spark off the bench. He averages a +1.5 plus/minus across the first 13 games he has played for the Heat.

He may not produce like Gabe Vincent did in the most recent contest and Tyler Herro anytime, but his ability to finish plays and defend big-time guards makes him one of the most valuable players the have off the bench.

The Miami Heat currently have 14 players on regular contracts and two of the two-way variety, Marcus Garrett and Caleb. It wouldn’t be totally shocking to see the Heat decide to give their last roster spot to Martin.

He’d have earned it if they do. This might be a small number of games to rely on, but I’m sure that the Heat will find a way to utilize Martin further whenever he’s on the court.

Last season, Martin played 53 games for the Charlotte Hornets alongside his brother. Across the 53 games he played, he averaged a total of 5.0 points per game, 1.3 assists per game, and 2.7 rebounds on 37.5 percent shooting from the field.

In the Miami Heat’s latest game, a win over the Washington Wizards, he continued his stellar play for them. He finished the game with 7 points and 5 rebounds, while shooting 42.9 percent from the field.

After the win over the Wizards, the Miami Heat are now first in the Eastern Conference standings, improving their win-loss record of 11-5. The Heat are now on a four-game winning streak too.

On the other hand, the Washington Wizards dropped to fourth in the East, with a record of 10-5. The Miami Heat will be back in action on Saturday and in the second part of a home & home with these very same Wizards.

That means a showdown at Capital One Arena. After Thursday night’s defeat, they’ll be ready to beat the Heat… if they can, but they shouldn’t be able to. Caleb Martin should also have a pretty sizable say so in that one too, as he has in every other game he’s played this year.