The Cleveland Cavaliers lost one of their key free agents, but they didn’t let the other get away.
Ty Jerome is now a Memphis Grizzly, but Sam Merrill isn’t going anywhere.
And while his numbers might not stick out, and he’s not the flashiest player by any means, he’s still a crucial contributor to what the Cavs do every night.
With that in mind, team insider Ethan Sands dug deep into the tape to explain what made Merrill such a crucial player for Kenny Atkinson’s team:
“How does Merrill hold his own in an offensive driven league without athleticism that jumps off the page? He plays angles smartly, keeps his feet active, and communicates on the back end,” Sands wrote. “Even in games when Merrill was returning from a wrist injury that slowed his shot-making production, he often remained in the rotation — not as a liability, but as a stabilizer. That’s rare in today’s NBA, especially for players with his archetype.”
Merrill is often seen as a liability on the defensive end of the floor.
He isn’t quick laterally, and his lack of athleticism is often a big limitation against bigger and tougher players.
He’s made great strides in that aspect, working hard on his defense, playing smartly, and taking pride in getting stops.
We all know what he’s capable of as a three-point shooter, but you have to be able to guard or at least not get picked on on defense if you want to take the floor as a reserve in today’s NBA.
The Cavs have a deep roster, and minutes and touches might be hard to come by on a nightly basis, yet Merrill is the kind of team-first player who will put his head down, do his job, and won’t complain.
This team needs to bounce back after a disappointing end to last season, and keeping the band together, at least for the most part, might be crucial to get over the hump.
NEXT: Details Emerge About Why Cavs Re-Signed Sam Merrill
