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Cavs to sign talented shooter, Sam Merrill to four-year deal

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated Jun 28, 2025 10:02 PM ET

Cleveland did more than make the Eastern Conference playoffs last season in the National Basketball Association.

It clinched the No. 1 seed with the best record in the east. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland will get much of the credit, but the Cavaliers have signed a talented shooter that played a role. Sam Merrill, who’s been nicknamed “Sammy Buckets,” has re-signed to the Cavs on a four-year, $38 million deal. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the news as Merrill finished his third season with Cleveland. He was on Milwaukee’s 2020-21 NBA Championship team after getting traded there from the New Orleans Pelicans. Merrill was the final selection of the 2020 NBA Draft, but he wants to be a pivotal reason for the Cavaliers winning another NBA title should it happen. He arrived with the Cavs after a season in Memphis (2021-22) and joining the Cleveland Charge of the G-League. He’s become a star off the bench for his three-point shooting, especially last season.

Free agent guard Sam Merrill intends to sign a four-year, $38 million contract to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN. The Cavs negotiated the new deal with Kieran Piller and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports, a success story for the 60th pick in 2020 draft. pic.twitter.com/NUo8CKR9vH

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 28, 2025

Merrill hit some big shots in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs versus Miami. He made a combined four-of-eight 3-pointers in games one and two, while making three-of-seven from long range in Game 4. Merrill helped Cleveland earn a sweep of the Heat to move on to the second round. The Cavs ultimately loss to the Pacers in round two; however, Merrill showed out in Game 2 with 14 points. He made four-of-nine shots from 3-point range in a 119-120 loss for Cleveland.

Merrill brought an ability to average double figures in scoring as he had 10+ games in the regular season with at least 10 points.

Cleveland wants to see his development continue, so it is hanging on to him.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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