What a KJ Martin trade could look like for the Philadelphia 76ers following balloon contract

The balloon has officially been filled with helium as the Philadelphia 76ers re-signed KJ Martin to a two-year/$16 million contract via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The two biggest questions for the 76ers are now when could Martin potentially get traded, and how could it work?

Free agent forward KJ Martin has agreed on a two-year, $16 million deal to return to the Philadelphia 76ers, Aaron Mintz and Andrew Morrison of @caabasketball tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/mHOUEQJnAl

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2024

Explanation on how the 76ers could trade KJ Martin

While KJ Martin’s contract numbers haven’t been announced yet, one can assume that he’s set to make around $8 million annually and that the second year of his contract is non-guaranteed considering Martin was signed by the 76ers with his full bird rights and is likely getting used as a trade chip, similarly to how the Phoenix Suns retained Josh Okogie.

NBA Journalist Yossi Gozlan wrote that KJ Martin will become eligible for trade on January 15, 2025, which will give the forward time to build up his value on the court as he and Caleb Martin are the only two power forwards on the 76ers’ roster as it currently stands.

Many Philadelphia fans were interested in the idea of signing Martin to a “balloon” contract and eventually trading for Brooklyn Nets power forward Dorian Finney-Smith. While the Nets four-man would be an excellent fit with the 76ers, it’s not financially possible since he’ll make $14.9 million next season and with Philadelphia now at the $178.1 million first tax apron, they don’t have the financial flexibility needed to pull it off.

Updated Sixers cap sheet after multiple deals went official this week + Lowry reportedly re-signing.

My projections:
– 1 incomplete roster charge left
– 2 roster spots left to fill (must have 14 players minimum for majority of regular season)
– officially over cap and in tax pic.twitter.com/FORth5dh3t

— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) July 12, 2024

An alternative to this would be for the 76ers to aggregate salaries (combine two players) in order to match Finney-Smith’s annual contract. However, there isn’t a player on Philadelphia’s roster who could make a hypothetical trade finally work. Even if there was, aggregating salaries in a trade would immediately hard-cap the 76ers at the second tax apron.

You may be wondering why Philadelphia simply didn’t sign Martin to a bigger contract to make a trade for Dorian Finney-Smith or any other player in that salary range, the reason was likely to avoid being trapped into the second tax apron.

Players the 76ers could acquire in a KJ Martin trade

While the 76ers won’t be able to get a player who’s as talented as Dorian Finney-Smith with KJ Martin’s contract, there’s still some intriguing options that the front office could take a look at to bulk up the roster.

Notable veterans making $8M or less: Garrison Matthews, Ayo Dosunmu, Dean Wade, Kevon Looney, Jonathan Kuminga, Jock Landale, Jae’Sean Tate, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kenrich Williams, Trey Lyles, and Corey Kispert.

— Harrison Grimm (@Harrison_Grimm) July 12, 2024

While there’s more attractive names that meet KJ Martin’s financial criteria like Jonathan Kuminga and Corey Kispert, they’ll require a good amount of draft capital and are due for handsome extensions next Summer. The three options below are realistic, but sound options for the 76ers:

Ayo Dosunmu ($7.0 million): While Philadelphia recently signed Kyle Lowry, Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu is too intriguing of a two-way guard to pass up on. Dosunmu is a great perimeter defender who can drill spot-up threes and provide wrinkles of playmaking. At 24, Dosunmu is heading into the second season of his three-year/$21 million contract.

Kenrich Williams ($6.7 million): Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams would be a quality addition to a 76ers team who lacks a true four. With Williams’ abilities as a “3&D” guy, he’d be a seamless fit potentially as a starter. Williams is 29 years old and entering the second season of his four-year/$27.2 million deal.

Jae’Sean Tate ($7.6 million): Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate’s role has gradually decreased in favor of guys like Brooks, Whitmore, Thompson, etc. However, Tate could still be a productive reserve four for the 76ers with his elite all-around defense and athleticism. Houston picked up his $7.6 million player option and he’d likely resign for a low cost.

Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)