The moment KJ Martin re-signed with the 76ers on July 15, it was no secret that he was on borrowed time.
Martin had career earnings of about $6.1 million over his first four NBA seasons, but the Sixers signed the undersized power forward to a two-year, $16 million, team-friendly contract that eventually would help facilitate a trade.
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That moment is upon us. The Sixers traded Martin and two second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday in exchange for the Pistons taking on his salary, according to sources. The Pistons have $14 million in salary-cap space available. Martin is making $7.9 million this season. However, the $8 million he’s scheduled to make in 2025-26 is not guaranteed until Jan. 10, 2026. That’s enticing for teams looking to slash salary next year.
There’s a chance that Martin will be rerouted to another team before Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trade deadline, according to sources. But if he stays in Detroit, Martin will reunite with former Sixers teammates Tobias Harris and Paul Reed.
The second-round picks are the Milwaukee Bucks’ selection for 2027 and the Dallas Mavericks’ pick for 2031. This type of move opens up an opportunity for the Sixers to pursue a player in the buyout market after the trade deadline.
The Sixers will get under this season’s luxury tax threshold after completing this move and sending Caleb Martin to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday in exchange for Quentin Grimes.
Before these moves, the Sixers were nearly $11 million over the luxury tax line. They know that a repeat tax could loom in future seasons because they have three maximum-salary players in Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey.
It also will give the Sixers the means to convert Justin Edwards’ two-way contract to a standard NBA deal.
The Sixers originally acquired KJ Martin from the Los Angeles Clippers in the blockbuster trade on Nov. 1, 2023, that sent James Harden to his hometown team.
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Martin averaged 3.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in 58 games with two starts for the Sixers last season. He blossomed into a key rotation player late in the season because of injuries.
At the conclusion of last season, he was unsure about returning to the Sixers. The 6-foot-6, 215-pounder was looking for an opportunity to get substantial playing time. But he re-signed with the Sixers because he then was the only power forward on the roster.
Martin averaged 6.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 24 games this season. He started seven games, but he has been sidelined since Dec. 23 with a foot injury.