Sam Merrill Signs $38M Cavaliers Deal : NBA Draft’s Final Pick Earns Payday
From Draft’s Last Pick to $38 Million Cavalier
Five years ago, Sam Merrill heard his name called dead last in the NBA Draft. On Saturday, that same man secured financial security his younger self never imagined: a 4-year, $38 million contract to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The deal, negotiated during frantic free-agency hours, rewards one of basketball’s most relentless underdogs—a shooter who clawed from G-League obscurity to become Cleveland’s secret weapon.
“$38M for pick No. 60? Only Sam Merrill turns that math upside down,” laughed his agent, Kieran Piller of Priority Sports.
Contract Breakdown: Cleveland’s Calculated Bet
The Cavaliers structured Sam Merrill’s deal for flexibility and fairness:
$9.5M average salary (front-loaded, starting at $10.5M)
Player option in Year 4 (2028-29 season)
$500K annual bonuses for hitting 40%+ from three and 65+ games played .
For Cleveland, locking down Sam Merrill was non-negotiable. With Darius Garland recovering from toe surgery and newcomer Lonzo Ball’s injury history, Merrill’s durability (71 games in 2024-25) and elite spacing (37.2% on 5+ threes/game) anchor their second unit. “He’s our pressure valve,” head coach Kenny Atkinson told ESPN.
The Road to $38M: Blizzards, Cuts, and a 10-Day Miracle
Sam Merrill’s journey reads like a basketball fairytale:
2021: Cut by Memphis after 6 games.
2022: Released by Sacramento within 48 hours of signing.
Jan 2023: Drove through a Midwest blizzard to accept Cleveland’s 10-day contract. His wife Kelsey recalled the text: “‘This is our last shot.’ He arrived with frost on his windshield.”
Cleveland fans adopted him immediately. When Sam Merrill torched Atlanta for 8 threes last March, the roar drowned out the PA announcer. “That’s when I knew,” Merrill said. “This city loves grinders.”
Why Merrill Matters: More Than Just Threes
Sam Merrill isn’t just a specialist—he’s Cleveland’s ecosystem multiplier:
Offensive Catalyst: Cavs outscore opponents by 7.2 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor .
Mitchell’s Wingman: 48% of Merrill’s threes came off Donovan Mitchell assists. “He spaces the floor for my attacks,” Mitchell said. “That gravity is priceless.”
Unexpected Defense: Held opposing shooters to 33.8% from deep as primary perimeter stopper .
“Sam Merrill epitomizes modern role-player value,” said The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd. “Elite skill, zero ego, and he guards his tail off.”
Ripple Effects: What This Deal Signals
Sam Merrill’s extension sends shockwaves through Cleveland’s roster:
Shooting Retained: Cavs prioritize floor-spacing around Mitchell/Garland.
Financial Win: Merrill’s $9.5M/year is 40% cheaper than comparable free agents (e.g., Gary Trent Jr. sought $16M).
Continuity Secured: Core of Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and Merrill now intact through 2027.
GM Koby Altman’s message was clear: “We bet on fighters. Sam Merrill is Cleveland.”
The Bigger Picture: Redefining “Mr. Irrelevant”
In 2020, the “Mr. Irrelevant” title stung. Today, Sam Merrill is the highest-paid final draft pick in NBA history, shattering Isaiah Thomas’ $27M record. His high school coach, Nate Carling, still remembers the doubters: “They said ‘Not athletic enough.’ Now kids see his jersey in Utah gyms.”
Rookie teammate Isaiah Mobley put it plainly: “When Sam Merrill walks in, we see the guy who outworks us all. That’s why Cleveland paid him.”
Final Buzzer: As Merrill celebrated in Utah, his father reposted a 2018 tweet: “Sam played 3 minutes tonight. So proud.” Those minutes have now multiplied into 14,000—and a legacy proving draft night is just the opening scene.
