The Miami Heat face limited roster flexibility due to a tight salary cap, but they could still find a way to enhance their lineup this summer. Caleb Martin has opted to enter free agency by declining his $7 million player option for the 2024-25 season.
Bleacher Report Live Stream predicts Martin could seek over $20 million annually but might realistically earn slightly less per season depending on the team and circumstances.
One potential move for Martin that could also benefit his previous team is a sign-and-trade deal with the Toronto Raptors for a versatile player who won a championship with the Denver Nuggets after the 2022-23 season.
“Sign-and-trade: Bruce Brown for Caleb Martin,” suggested Bleacher Report Live Streamers on July 2. “If Caleb decides to leave, Miami could gain cap flexibility by receiving an expiring contract in Bruce Brown. Brown could fit well with the Heat next year, while the Raptors would acquire a much-needed wing player.”
Bruce Brown’s Diverse NBA Career Over 6 Years
Despite playing for five different teams—Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors—over his six-year NBA career, Bruce Brown has built a solid reputation.
He gained prominence with the Brooklyn Nets, where he frequently started alongside Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, often playing in the front court despite his 6-foot-4 frame. During the 2022-23 season with the Nuggets, Brown averaged a career-high 11.5 points per game as a small forward and appeared in 80 of 82 regular-season games, contributing to the team’s playoff success and championship victory.
The Pacers awarded Brown his first significant contract, a two-year, $45 million deal in July 2023. The second year of this contract is a team option that currently belongs to Toronto, which acquired his rights in a trade in January 2024.
Brown’s career averages are 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 steals, according to Basketball Reference. He has a career 3-point shooting percentage of 33.7% on limited attempts, though he shot nearly 36% from beyond the arc during Denver’s championship season and 40.4% with the Nets the previous year.
Caleb Martin Made a Name for Himself in the NBA with an Outstanding ECF Performance Against the Celtics in 2023
While Brown may not be a direct replacement for Martin, he offers a versatile skill set that could help Miami fill the gap left by the wing player who has been crucial for the Heat over the past three seasons.
Martin’s departure will be a notable loss for the Heat, as he set career highs in points (10.0) and assists (2.2) last season, serving as a part-time starter (23 starts in 64 regular-season games), according to Basketball Reference.
Martin was instrumental in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics in 2023, averaging 19.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, and shooting 48.9% from three-point range during the seven-game series.
Miami eventually lost to Brown and the Nuggets in the Finals, which ended in a five-game series.
