Sam Merrill just signed a hefty multi-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which may have surprised some people.
However, fans who have been paying attention aren’t shocked at all.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Dan Favale dug into Merrill’s new contract and why he earned it.
“Anyone who hasn’t religiously watched the Cleveland Cavaliers over the past two seasons may have been taken aback by Sam Merrill getting slightly more money (four years, $38 million) than Ty Jerome (three years, $27 million) in free agency. He can bombs away coming around screens, from a standstill or on the heels of an escape dribble. Offensive possessions will never stall out because of him. The 29-year-old’s defensive serviceability shouldn’t be overlooked, either. He isn’t going to shut down anyone, but he fights over screens and has little trouble tracking fellow pinballers around the half-court,” Favale wrote.
In short, Merrill is the exact sort of player that the Cavaliers want, and they are smart to pay for him.
They have their big stars and their well-known names, but the Cavaliers aren’t going to reach the Finals unless they fill the rest of their roster with reliable, versatile bench talent who can help them at the drop of a hat.
Last season, Merrill averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 40.6 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from the three-point line.
He did all of that while starting in just four of his 71 games.
As noted by Favale, Merrill can contribute on both ends of the court, and that makes him worth every single penny.
The Cavaliers need more players like Merrill, which is why they gladly paid a lot for him.
NEXT: Kings Add Former Cavs Assistant To Coaching Staff
