NBA Notes: Cavs, Sam Merrill, Pelicans, Dejounte Murray, Pistons

Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are monitoring Sam Merrill’s right elbow ahead of their opener against the Sixers, while Nae’Qwan Tomlin will be out considerably longer.

Merrill participated in part of Monday’s practice because of elbow soreness, as relayed by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Kenny Atkinson hadn’t determined his availability when speaking with reporters afterward.

Tomlin’s situation became clearer Tuesday. The Cavs announced that an MRI confirmed a lower back stress reaction, and he’ll be reevaluated in approximately three to four weeks.

Tomlin missed all three preseason games. The reevaluation window doesn’t establish a return date, leaving the Cavs without him for the start of the season.

Merrill’s status is more immediately relevant to Atkinson’s rotation. His shooting gives the Cavs another way to stretch defenses around their primary scorers. So yes, the Cavs hope to have him available in Philadelphia.

Pelicans

Dejounte Murray expects to play in the Pelicans’ opener Wednesday against the Pacers after completing a full practice Monday.

Murray missed the final three preseason games with a toe injury, but said the swelling that kept him out has subsided, writes Rod Walker of NOLA.com.

“Just was being cautious of it,” Murray said. “It was really fat. And purple. It was really just getting the swelling down. That was it.”

Murray said he can run and jump without the swelling interfering, an encouraging development after losing much of his preseason preparation.

“I feel great,” he said. “It’s not swollen (now). I’m able to run, jump, participate.”

Pistons

The Pistons have exercised Ron Holland’s fourth-year option, guaranteeing the young wing approximately $11.5 million for 2027-28, per Keith Smith of Spotrac.

Holland will earn roughly $9.1 million this season and become eligible for an extension next summer. Without a new agreement, he could reach restricted free agency in 2028.

The No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 draft has been dependable defensively and available almost every night, appearing in 159 of a possible 164 regular-season games. He has held a rotation role while Detroit climbed from 44 wins in his rookie season to 60 last year.

The offense still needs work. Holland has averaged 7.3 points and 1.1 assists in 17.7 minutes through two seasons, shooting just 24.6 percent from three.

But at 21, he has time to improve that part of his game. Picking up the option gives Detroit another season of contractual control over a perimeter defender who has already helped a winning team.