Caleb Martin and Quentin Grimes are swapping teams in Philadelphia.
The Dallas Mavericks traded for Martin on Tuesday, sending Grimes back to the Eastern Conference. In return, Philadelphia gets a 2025 second-round pick. The deal was announced just hours before the two teams were set to play at the Wells Fargo Center.
This trade comes three days after the big move that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, a rare superstar swap.
Martin has been out since January 10 with groin and hip injuries. Grimes, on the other hand, had been with the Mavericks for his first season after coming over from Detroit in an offseason trade. Dallas had also added Klay Thompson in a sign-and-trade to strengthen the Doncic-Irving pairing, before the unexpected move involving Doncic.
Martin had turned down more money from Miami to join the 76ers, hoping to chase a title alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George.
The Mavericks’ trade of Martin continues a recent trend of big moves at the deadline, following the acquisition of Kyrie Irving from Brooklyn. A year later, the Mavs made their first NBA Finals appearance since 2011 but lost to Boston in five games.
Martin averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 31 games for the 76ers, while Grimes had 10.2 points per game over 47 games for Dallas. Both players have had fluctuating starting roles throughout their careers. Before his injury, Martin started 24 games this season, while Grimes started 12, shooting a career-high 40% from three-point range and being a key defender for Dallas.
