The Cleveland Cavaliers would enter the 2025-26 season facing early adversity with two key players sidelined.
Max Strus will miss three to four months recovering from a Jones fracture in his left foot. Darius Garland remains out following June’s toe surgery, with his return projected for the season’s first half.
These absences create immediate opportunities for role players to prove their worth.
Insider Chris Fedor recently identified which Cavalier is best positioned to capitalize on the expanded minutes.
“The obvious answer would be Sam Merrill. Not only did he receive a four-year contract extension this offseason — the kind of lucrative payday that typically leads to higher expectations and more pressure — but Merrill will likely slide into the starting lineup while Strus is out and Darius Garland continues to recover from offseason toe surgery,” Fedor wrote when asked which player needs to step up most in Strus’ absence.
Merrill signed a four-year, $38 million extension this summer after his best professional season.
He appeared in 71 games last year while averaging 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in nearly 20 minutes per contest.
His three-point shooting remained steady at 37.2 percent and he posted one of the league’s top plus-minus ratings off the bench.
Strus averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists last season while providing floor spacing and defensive energy.
His injury leaves a significant void in Cleveland’s wing rotation. Merrill will need to fill that gap while the team waits for Garland’s return.
The timing puts pressure on Merrill to justify his new contract. Cleveland structured the deal with confidence in his ability to handle increased responsibility.
His shooting accuracy and versatility make him the natural choice to bridge the gap during this challenging stretch.
The Cavaliers built depth specifically for situations like this. Merrill’s promotion represents the organization’s faith in developing talent from within their system.
NEXT: 2 Cavs Players Named Favorites To Win Notable NBA Award In 2026
