Opting into a $7.1 million player option with a subsequent annual salary of $14.5 million from the 2025/26 season was the proposal from Pat Riley‘s front office to Caleb Martin. This moment seemed ripe for negotiations, but instead, Martin exited the Miami Heat, leaving them empty-handed. Considering the impending TV deal money from the 2025/26 season, the offer seemed reasonable one from the Heat, but Martin wants to get paid now.

His asking price? $15 million a year only, and Daryl Morey kept a note of it. With their frenzied free-agent hunt, the Sixers already put the NBA on alert, beginning with Paul George joining the franchise. The Philly side is now one of the favorites in the championship chase next season, a vital incentive to lure talents. Martin similarly conceded to the lure and now is 76ers bound. On top of it, his consideration came at a significant personal compromise, as reports reveal his new yearly earnings.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers have signed the 28-year-old with a 4-year $32 million contract. The free agent will be joining PG, Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon as the latest signing of the 76ers. The former Heat forward was reportedly offered a 5-year $65 million deal by the Miami franchise but Caleb said no. That’s a $33 million loss and only Martin can answer how he’ll sleep at night with that. After joining the franchise in 2021, Martin became a pivotal part of the Heat’s playoff run in the 2022/23 season. He averaged his career-high 10 points from 43.1% shooting last season but failed to guide the Heat into the second rounds of the playoff.

Now with Martin gone and Tyler Herro linked with a move away, the Heat find themselves in a perilous position. To make matters worse, Jimmy Butler‘s reported decision to not sign an extension has deepened the wrinkles on Pat Riley’s forehead. The rift between Heat supremo and their star man is already out of the bag and the franchise losing assets without significant backup can make things interesting deeper into the summer.

What is in store for Jimmy Butler at Miami Heat?

Pat Riley declared war on Butler by saying “I have no intention of giving Butler an extension. That’s a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you’re somebody who’s really going to be there, available every single night,” during the Miami Heat’s exit interview in May. The Miami Heat missed the chance to replicate the previous season’s success and were dumped out of the playoffs after falling to the Celtics in the first round with Jimmy Butler getting sidelined. His contribution in only 60 regular season games also raised doubts in the Miami front office about meeting Jimmy’s demands of a 2-year $113 million extension.

Amid his uncertain future, the Sixers wanted to reel in Butler but getting Paul George put that out of the equation. Butler will make $48.8 million next season and has a player option worth $52.4 million for the next, which he’d likely opt out. As per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Butler will not resign with the Heat or any other team. With a 49.9-41.4-85.8 shooting split and 20.8 points per game, Butler is still a capable asset, but his recent injury troubles have forced the Miami Heat to reconsider their stance.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video.