Sam Merrill stepping into starting role for Cavs

When it gets right down to it, the Cavaliers made the conscious decision to bring back Sam Merrill over Ty Jerome. Both were unrestricted free agents last summer. Because Cleveland is over the second apron of the NBA's luxury tax, as much as it wanted to, it couldn't bring back both players. They not only signed Merrill, but they paid him slightly more than Jerome received from the Memphis Grizzlies. The fact that they coveted Merrill more than Jerome surprised more than a few people. Jerome, 28, was a finalist for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award in 2024-25. He averaged a career-high 12.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot .516 from the field, a sterling .439 from the 3-point line and .872 from the foul line in 70 games. Merrill, 29, averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists and shot .406 from the field, .372 from long distance and .966 from the foul line in 71 games. Jerome had better numbers, yet it was Merrill who was brought back. A lot of it had to do with Jerome's performance against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Pushed into the starting role with the toe injury to starting point guard Darius Garland, the Pacers attacked him on the defensive end. It got so bad, he was benched for one of the games. "Losing Ty was a tough loss," Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said. "We can't keep everybody in this salary cap era. We'll miss Ty's playmaking and shooting. "Sam provides a different skill set. He's a mainstay in the rotation. Adding Lonzo (Ball) to our backcourt depth was part of that." With Merrill, the Cavs always know he'll give them an honest effort defensively. Even though he doesn't look the part, he is one of the team's most ferocious on-the-ball defenders, is physical and plays with intensity. His 3-point shooting is an added bonus. However, for the first time in his career, Merrill has financial security. He signed a four-year, $38 million deal that is fully guaranteed July 6. Eight days later, Jerome signed a three-year, $27.7 contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. The third year of the deal in 2027-28 is a player option worth $9.6 million. "It's a different mindset," Merrill said. "It's great to have that security. You never know what's going to happen. Hopefully, I'm going to be here for a few years. Whether you're on a minimum or a max contract, you want to play well." The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Merrill is expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday when the Cavs open the 2025-26 season in New York. He'll open at shooting guard and six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell will shift over to point guard in place of Garland. "My focus hasn't changed," Merrill said. "My resolve has gotten stronger. I want to be the best player I can be and help this team get to the next level. "Everyone knows who I am as a player and what I do. My shooting isn't going to change. I'm going to get up a lot of 3s. Bringing in a guy like Lonzo is going to be good for me. Bringing in Larry (Nance Jr.), who is a great screener and knows how to play, will help, as well." Merrill hinted that there was some interest from other teams in free agency. "I don't know how I'm supposed to answer that," he said. "There was potential to end up somewhere else. I really felt good about this organization. "Having moved around so much my first few years, it's nice to have a home in Cleveland. That was a big reason behind it." Contact Bob Finnan at (440) 329-7135 or rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.