Miami Heat fans will always have a soft spot for Caleb Martin, but his recent fall from grace since moving on a couple of years ago has been difficult to watch. And if the first four games of this season are any indication, he could be about to hit rock bottom.
The Heat don't beat the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023 without Martin, and they don't make the NBA Finals either. During that playoff run, Martin was an absolute star for Miami. In that ECF series, Martin averaged 19 points and three rebounds on 60 percent shooting from the field and blistering 49 percent shooting from 3-point range.
After that season, it appeared that Martin had found a home in Miami. However, one year later, Martin would elect to leave in free agency to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Interestingly enough, even though Martin would leave to sign with a rival, Heat fans were still grateful for Martin's time with the Heat.
It's a move that, in some ways, ended up working out for both sides. Martin got the guaranteed money he was seeking, and the Heat (with all due respect) avoided another contractual disaster.
Caleb Martin's downfall since leaving the Heat
Since leaving the Heat, Martin has not been the same player. But it may not be entirely his fault. While he's struggled, it's tough to suggest he's been put in an opportunity where he could be successful.
After just 31 games with the Sixers, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline. In the 14 games after the trade to the Mavs, Martin continually struggled with his overall offensive efficiency, shooting under 40 percent from the field and just 25 percent from 3-point range.
In his first four games this season, Martin is averaging three points in just eight minutes per contest.
Unless something drastically changes soon, it appears that Martin is going to be practically out of the rotation in Dallas. And in just his second year of his four-year deal, it's going to naturally bring up more questions than answers about his future in the NBA.
After how much it appeared he had gotten his career on track in Miami, it's admittedly difficult for Heat fans to see how Martin has fallen over the course of just one year (with two teams).
Knowing Martin's work ethic, it'd be foolish to say that he can't work his way back into the good graces of the Mavs and get his career pointed back in the right direction, but you can't help but wonder what if he had just re-signed with the Heat.