Sixers' Key Free Agent Addition Looks Forward to Reunion

Two former Miami Heat players will reunite on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Justin Grasso | Jul 18, 2024

Nov 27, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) reacts with forward Caleb Martin (16) after making a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

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After seeing most of the 2023-2024 roster hit the free agency market, the Philadelphia 76ers are concluding what’s become a busy offseason.

Philly’s latest move involved the re-signing of one of their veteran guards in Kyle Lowry.

As they bring Lowry back for another run, the new addition Caleb Martin is confident that he’ll be an ideal fit playing alongside his former Miami Heat teammate in Philly.

“I definitely think I fit [with the Sixers],” Martin told reporters during his first press conference in Philadelphia. “Just knowing the history of Nick [Nurse] and playing with guys and coaching guys like Kawhi [Leonard], Kyle [Lowry]. Kyle Lowry’s one of my big brothers right now so anywhere he fits, I know I’ll fit.”

Lowry didn’t spend a ton of time with the Miami Heat, but his entire stint down South Beach involved being teammates with Martin, who started his career with the Charlotte Hornets.

During their time in Miami, Martin and Lowry went through two playoff runs together. In 2023, they helped the Heat put together an improbable playoff run, which involved an eighth seed getting crowned the Eastern Conference Champions, before falling short in the 2023 NBA Finals.

When Martin decided to officially leave the Heat by signing on with the Sixers, Lowry was still on the free agency market. Fortunately, he still had a positive impact on the Sixers.

“We’re the same type of guy in terms of just things we just try to bring,” Martin said of Lowry. “Winning attributes to a team, and he loves it here, and he loves playing for Nick. I think I’ll fit in for sure.”

Not long after the Sixers inked Martin to a multi-year deal, Lowry decided to make his return to the City of Brotherly Love on a reported one-year deal. Not even one year after the Heat cut ties with Lowry, putting an end to the veteran being teammates with Martin, the two former Heat veterans reunite in Philly for the 2024-2025 NBA season.

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Published Jul 18, 2024

JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA