Cleveland Cavaliers Sign Sharpshooting Guard

The Cleveland Cavaliers have added a sharpshooter to their roster, reaching into their G League team, the Charge, to pluck guard Sam Merrill. The team had earlier made him the first overall pick in the G League Draft this past fall. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are planning to sign guard Sam Merrill to a 10-day contract out of their NBA G League Charge affiliate, sources tell me and @kelseyyrusso.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 1, 2023

It's a 10-day contract for Merrill, who's been blazing the twine with a 43.7% mark from three-point range for the Charge, scoring 17.5 points per game, with 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists. 

Merrill holds a unique record of sorts: He's the first player ever to be drafted with the very last pick in the NBA Draft (2020 second round, 60th overall, by the New Orleans Pelicans), and then, as noted, with the very first pick in the G League Draft. 

The Cavs have been looking for some outside shooting to boost their bench, and the 6'4" Merrill should provide it. 

The Salt Lake City native played his college ball at Utah State. Since his late second-round selection in 2020, he's played a total of 36 games in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks over the previous two seasons. He's only averaged eight minutes per game, but has shot it at 40% from long range. 

If he gets into a game with the Cavs, it'll be his NBA debut for this season.

Photo: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports