This offseason presents a pivotal moment for Caleb Martin and the Miami Heat: “We’ll need to wait and see how things unfold.”

This season didn’t unfold as Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin had anticipated, yet it still marked one of the most successful seasons of his NBA career. His journey began with Martin missing 10 of the Heat’s first 11 regular-season games due to left knee tendinosis, and it concluded with the team’s early exit from the first round of the playoffs. During exit interviews held a few days after the season’s end, Martin acknowledged being his toughest critic and expressed disappointment about not meeting the team’s expectations, vowing to focus on improvement during the offseason.

Despite the challenges, Martin achieved career highs in points (10 per game) and assists (2.2 per game) during the regular season, playing in 64 games, including 23 starts. He received positive news recently, learning that he won’t require offseason surgery for a left thumb injury sustained late in the season.

However, Martin’s shooting efficiency dipped slightly compared to the previous season. He went from shooting 46.4 percent from the field to 43.1 percent and from 35.6 percent from three-point range to 34.9 percent.

Looking ahead, Martin faces significant decisions that could impact his career trajectory. He has until June 29 to decide on a $7.1 million player option for the following season, but it’s expected that he will explore free agency for potentially better offers. The Heat’s salary-cap situation may pose challenges in retaining him, as projected offers could exceed their cap space. Martin has expressed his desire to remain with the Heat, but the outcome largely depends on the team’s financial flexibility.

Reflecting on his time with the Heat, Martin emphasized his desire to continue contributing to the team’s success. Despite this season’s disappointing end, he believes setbacks can serve as valuable learning experiences and opportunities for growth, both individually and as a team.