The Cleveland Cavaliers have secured the return of sharpshooter Sam Merrill, agreeing to a four-year, $38 million contract ahead of his impending unrestricted free agency on July 1.
The deal marks a major step up for Merrill, whose NBA career thus far had been spent on minimum-salary contracts.
At an average annual value of $9.5 million, this new agreement represents a substantial financial milestone for the 29-year-old guard.
Earlier on Saturday, the Cavaliers also made headlines by acquiring guard Lonzo Ball in a trade with the Chicago Bulls.
These two moves, the re-signing of Merrill and the addition of Ball, appear to signal that Ty Jerome’s time in Cleveland is likely coming to an end.
Merrill played a key role off the bench last season, appearing in 71 games for the Cavaliers. Known primarily for his perimeter shooting, Merrill averaged 7.2 points per game and served as a reliable floor spacer.
He attempted 5.2 shots from beyond the arc per game, connecting at a solid 37.2% clip.
By committing to Merrill and reshaping their backcourt rotation, the Cavaliers are continuing to refine their roster around shooting depth and veteran backcourt stability as they look ahead to next season.
Sam Merrill, Cavaliers Agree To Four-Year, $38M Contract https://t.co/WkCIfztb3X
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 28, 2025
