Cavaliers Signing Swingman To Multi-Year Deal

The Cleveland Cavaliers have liked what they've seen, even though they haven't seen much at the NBA level. Despite having played him just four minutes on his just-expired 10-day contract, the Cavs have signed guard Sam Merrill to a multi-year deal.

#Cavs are signing Sam Merrill to a *multi-year* contract, sources tell @clevelanddotcom.

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) March 14, 2023

It'll be a three-year deal, with the two years after this season being non-guaranteed, sources tell Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

After being selected with the first overall pick in the G League Draft this past fall by the Cavs' G League team, the Charge, Cleveland has gotten a close-up look at the sharpshooting guard in the developmental league, and he has performed well. The 26-year-old has averaged 17.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals, with a red-hot 43.7% mark from downtown in 18 G League games. 

“Obviously his ability to make shots, but he’s not a one-dimensional guy either,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said about Merrill. “I think he was leading or near the top of the G League in taking charges, so he’s got a willingness to scrap, a willingness to help on the defensive end of the floor. Can create shots and make shots.”

Merrill was selected with the final pick in the 2020 NBA Draft (60th overall) by the New Orleans Pelicans, giving the 6'4" guard the unusual distinction of being the only player in history to be taken with the first overall pick in the G League Draft and the last overall pick in the NBA Draft. For whatever that's worth...

Merrill becomes the 15th full-time member of the Cavs' roster.  

Photo: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports