Caleb Martin opens up on decision to snub $65million Miami Heat offer as NBA star claims ‘certain thing didn’t work’
NBA star Caleb Martin has opened up on his decision to turn down a $64 million offer from the Miami Heat.
The 28-year-old insists he has no regrets after rejecting the mega-money contract to try his hand at NBA free agency.
Martin spent three years with the Heat after joining from the Charlotte Hornets in 2021.
He averaged 10 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists for Miami last season.
Known for coming alive in the postseason, the 6-foot-5 forward has since penned a four-year, $32 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The numbers are some way short of the five-year, $64 million offer made to Martin by the Heat last month, per the Miami Herald.
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"Just certain things didn't work," Martin told reporters on Tuesday, via ESPN.
"There was a lot of things behind the scenes that went on. Ultimately, there was a lot in making that decision.
"There's a lot that contributed to how everything went. But past is past, can't do nothing about that.
"I'm looking forward to being here and being a part of Philly and trying to bring everything I can in order to try and win a championship. That's my main focus now."
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Martin is set to become part of the starting rotation in Philly following the Sixers' offseason revamp.
He joins a stacked roster including stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George.
And he insists he has no regrets about leaving so much money on the table in Miami.
"I mean, you're always going to wish you can make as much money as you can," Martin continued.
"It's part of the game, it's part of life. You live and learn.
"You take risks. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't."
Martin went undrafted in 2019 before being picked up by Charlotte as a free agent.
What the new TV deal means for the NBA?
By The U.S. Sun's Assistant Sports Editor Damian Burchardt.
THE new TV rights deal is promising to be a humongous win for NBA players.
The league is set to more than double the revenue coming from its media partners, pocketing about $6.9 billion per year, which will inevitably lead to a huge salary cap spike in 2025-26.
That is going to send the value of player contracts skyrocketing.
Projected figures suggest we might see the first $100 million-per-year deal being signed soon.
Currently, Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum is projected to earn the highest single-season salary in NBA history, collecting $71.5 million in 2029-30.
It does feel like basketball fans would be on the losing side of the fight if the NBA and TNT indeed parted ways, though.
Inside the NBA is a one-of-a-kind sports entertainment show, as evidenced by ESPN's ongoing failure to come up with its own version of the program in recent years.
The NBA won't be the same without Kenny and Ernie trying to make sense of Shaq and Chuck's never-ending bickering every Tuesday night.
He was named Mountain West Player of the Year during his time with the Nevada Wolf Pack in college.
Across his five NBA seasons, the North Carolina native has averaged 8.5 points per game.
But his decision to reject the Heats' offer has baffled some NBA fans on social media.
"He took less money annually from the Sixers?!" gasped one fan on X.
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"Miami didn't just give him a fair value contract, they gave him one almost twice what he's worth and in a state with no tax. Absolute fumble by Caleb," said another.
"At least he has a better chance to win this season, and the Heat don't end up overpaying another role player," countered a third.