Caleb Martin's 'superpower' is transforming the Mavericks' starting five

After being heavily ridiculed by many Dallas Mavericks fans over the offseason due to a slow, injury-riddled start to his time with the team, Caleb Martin has turned into a key piece of Dallas' starting unit. Dusty May started Martin for the first time this season on November 2, when Kyrie Irving was out due to injury management, and the 31-year-old forward has started in the last three games.

He's averaging 3.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 50 percent from three this season for Dallas, and his connectivity has made his spot in the starting five look seamless. Martin put up five assists in the Mavericks' most recent win over the Indiana Pacers, just one assist shy of tying his career high.

Caleb Martin doesn't need to score to make an impact

Most Mavericks fans aren't used to seeing Martin in such a playmaking-heavy role, as he was typically known for being a spot-up shooter and a bit limited on offense in years past. His recent play has shifted the optics of what his ideal role is in Dallas, as he has made a big impact without filling up the box score.

Martin didn't make a shot against the Pacers, but his impact as a passer and his ability to keep the offense flowing were evident. May admires how Martin plays with unselfishness, and his approach has helped unlock Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford in this new-look starting unit.

Martin's superpower is his versatility

"I'm very comfortable in that, and obviously I've always been a guy where my role and what I need has to fluctuate," Martin said at shootaround on Thursday. "I think that's one of my superpowers as a player, is to be able to be versatile and just give the group what they need. Not everybody can do that."

If May needs Martin to step up and be a secondary scoring option on the wing, he can do that. While he isn't known as an isolation scorer, his 3-point shooting off the catch has looked strong this season, and he's not a bad scorer in transition.

He gives Dallas whatever they need when they need it, and his mindset is what has made him the Mavericks' most productive starter at shooting guard. Martin fills this role far better than Dallas' top two other options, Max Christie and Zaccharie Risacher, as Risacher isn't a great decision-maker, while Christie's shooting has been poor this season.

Dallas' offense runs smoothly when Martin is playing with the other five starters, and as long as they keep winning, he should start.

Martin makes winning plays without filling up the stat sheet

Martin knows many of the things that he does may not come up on the stat sheet, but his play is leading to winning. He plays hard-nosed defense on one end while being a selfless connector who can knock down open shots. Martin later talked about making quick decisions out of the short roll and forcing the other team to adjust, and his understanding of what May needs from him is obvious.

Many players are often focused on their scoring numbers and touches, but Martin does not fall into that category. He is averaging just 1.8 points per game in four starts this season, as his role has changed considerably since joining the starting unit.

Martin is out there to get the other starters the ball, play strong defense, and make winning plays. His late steal with less than five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter helped the Mavs pull off a comeback win over the Pacers earlier this week, and he's doing all of the little things in his new role.

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