NBA Rumors: Celtics Playoff Villain Agrees To Deal With 76ers

A Boston Celtics villain reportedly is set to leave the Miami Heat, but he still has a chance to do damage in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday reportedly agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal with Caleb Martin, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The 28-year-old will slot into the frontcourt with Paul George and Joel Embiid. He also joins a free-agent class that includes Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond. Paul Reed, who had a nonguaranteed contract, was waived as a corresponding move, according to Wojnarowski.

Boston fans are quite aware of Martin’s impact against the Celtics, specifically during the postseason. The former Heat forward averages 13.6 points on 50% shooting in regular-season and playoff games in the last two seasons against the C’s, according to ESPN stats and information, which is the most points per game that Martin has had against an Eastern Conference opponent.

Martin has four career 25-point games — two of which were against the Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals.

It’s another key addition for what’s been a headline offseason for president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, who seems to be doing what he can to compete against the Celtics. The reported agreement also is a blow for a Heat side wondering what Jimmy Butler’s future with the franchise will be.

One thing for sure is that the NBA world will really want to see Boston and Philadelphia match up in the playoffs.