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.
