Ranking the 5 best players on the Heat if Damian Lillard trade happens

Best players on Miami Heat after Damian Lillard trade, No. 4: Caleb Martin

One of the biggest heroes in the Miami Heat’s incredible playoff run was Caleb Martin. In the regular season, Martin averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 46/36/80 splits. These numbers are perfect for a solid role player but in the postseason Martin took a leap. He averaged 12.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 53/42/83 splits.

The thing that was the most impressive was Martin’s performance in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics. He averaged 19.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists on tremendous shooting splits shooting just over 60 percent from the field and 49 percent from 3.

Martin’s playoff performance would keep him untouchable in a Lillard trade. The Heat should keep him because he is the perfect fit in this lineup. If his playoff performances are anything to indicate how he’ll play next season, he will become the Heat’s fourth-best player.

He provides great floor spacing because he is capable of shooting over 40 percent from 3 and is also a great mid-range jump shooter. In the playoffs, he was getting to the rim at an elite level, getting finishes over guys like Robert Williams. Most importantly the thing that he provides to this team is grit and defense. He finished the season with more defensive win shares than Paul George and had the same defensive rating as Paul George.

With Lillard on the team, Martin becomes at best the 4th option. He won’t be asked to do as much as he did this postseason where at times he was the best player for the Heat. He will have a bigger role to play than guys like Josh Richardson, Kyle Lowry, and Kevin Love but not bigger than the 3 guys in front of him.