The Cavaliers are signing guard Sam Merrill to a multiyear contract, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Merrill was originally signed to a 10-day deal as a call-up from the G League’s Cleveland Charge on March 3. He has appeared in one game with the Cavs.
While there are no details on his new deal, the Cavs likely have guaranteed Merrill a spot for the rest of the season, with future years being nonguaranteed.
Merrill, 26, is 6-foot-4 and was averaging 17.5 points and shooting about 44 percent on 3-pointers with the Charge.
Drafted by the Pelicans with the No. 60 overall pick in 2020, Merrill immediately was traded to the Bucks. Along with Milwaukee, he has spent time with the Grizzlies.
He holds the lone distinction of being the last player picked overall in the NBA Draft and the first picked overall in the G League Draft (2022).
#Cavs are signing Sam Merrill to a *multi-year* contract, sources tell @clevelanddotcom.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) March 14, 2023
The Cavs (43-27) seem to be almost locked in to second in the Central Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference, trailing the third-place 76ers by 3.5 games and holding a three-game lead over both the Nets and Knicks. They are won win away from matching last season’s win total with 12 to go, beginning Tuesday with a visit to the Hornets.
“We are really finding ourselves as a team, as a unit, as a whole,” point guard Darius Garland told reporters. “Guys are starting to figure out their roles.”
Mark Price Talks NCAA Tourney, Interviews Sam Amico on ‘Mark Price For Three’ Podcast
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
IMO, this makes no sense right now if that means all the roster spots are filled. It leaves us no roster flexibility for the playoffs. I can’t believe it didn’t open their eyes when Allen was hurt the other day. We are going to count of Lopez, Stevens and Wade to the play the 4 and 5 if Mobley or Allen go down? Especially with Aldridge, Howard, Whiteside and Cousins sitting out there. Each one of them could play in the rotation as Allen’s back-up with 1 or 2 practices. That would allow Mobley to stay at the 4 where he’s best and save his physical wear and tear as well.