Cavs Notes: Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill

Zach Weiss of Cavaliers on SI identified increased three-point volume as Evan Mobley’s next major offensive step.

The numbers support the premise. Mobley attempted 3.2 three-pointers per game in each of the past two seasons, although his accuracy fell from 37 percent in 2024-25 to 29 percent last year. He improved to 34 percent while attempting 3.9 per game during the playoffs.

Weiss suggested five or six attempts per game could further open Cleveland’s offense. That would be ambitious, but the larger point is sound. Mobley needs to shoot quickly and confidently enough to make defenders respect him.

The Cavs don’t need Mobley to become Dirk Nowitzki. They need opponents to believe he might shoot whenever they leave him alone.

Hesitation allows the defense to recover and clogs the same driving lanes Donovan Mitchell and James Harden need. Even average perimeter accuracy would change the geometry of the floor if Mobley accompanies it with a willing trigger.

More on Mitchell?

In a separate analysis, Weiss argued that Mitchell is entering a pivotal season, citing the Cavs’ ugly Eastern Conference finals exit and the expectations accompanying his new contract.

That doesn’t mean Mitchell still has to prove he belongs in Cleveland. He has embraced the city, become a genuine leader and helped carry the Cavs to their first conference finals appearance without LeBron James since 1992. The organization should be proud to have him as its face.

The remaining question is whether Mitchell can lead this particular roster into the NBA Finals.

The Cavs lost four straight to the Knicks after blowing a significant lead in Game 1 of the conference finals. They have since added Peyton Watson and retained Harden, giving Mitchell more help and fewer reasons to manufacture every important possession himself.

The pressure is real. It also comes with the territory when a great player leads a team built to win now.

Merrill’s impact

Sam Merrill’s role may be less glamorous, but it isn’t much less important.

Merrill averaged a career-high 12.8 points last season and gives the Cavs a movement shooter capable of affecting a defense before he touches the ball. His five three-pointers and 23 points helped them eliminate the Pistons in Game 7 of the conference semifinals.

The Eastern Conference finals went differently. Merrill scored 27 total points during the four-game sweep and went 0-of-7 from beyond the arc in Game 2.

His path to minutes is also more crowded after the arrival of Watson, with Jaylon Tyson and others competing for opportunities on the wing.

Still, Merrill owns the one skill that remains especially useful beside Mitchell, Harden, Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Defenses follow shooters, and few players make them chase as relentlessly as Merrill.

The Cavs don’t need to manufacture a role for him. They need to remember how much easier the floor can look when he is running around on it.