(ProsperNews.net) – Sam Merrill’s remarkable journey from being the last pick in the 2020 NBA Draft to signing a historic $38 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers demonstrates how sharpshooting specialists can still command premium salaries in today’s NBA.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Merrill has signed a four-year, $38 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, making him the highest-paid 60th overall draft pick in NBA history.
- The 29-year-old sharpshooter averaged 7.2 points per game while shooting 37.2% from three-point range during the 2024-25 season.
- Cleveland’s commitment to Merrill comes despite operating above the second luxury tax apron, signaling their prioritization of three-point shooting.
- The Cavaliers’ backcourt restructuring includes trading for Lonzo Ball while likely losing free agent Ty Jerome.
- Merrill’s contract represents a 380-fold return on investment after initially joining Cleveland on a modest 10-day contract in 2023.
From Last Pick to $38 Million: Merrill’s Remarkable Rise
The Cleveland Cavaliers have locked in sharpshooter Sam Merrill with a four-year, $38 million contract extension, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on June 29, 2025. The deal, negotiated by agents Kieran Piller and Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, represents an extraordinary career arc for the 29-year-old guard who entered the league as the 60th and final selection in the 2020 NBA Draft. After bouncing between Milwaukee and Memphis early in his career, Merrill found his home in Cleveland after initially signing a 10-day contract in 2023.
Merrill’s journey epitomizes the value of specialized skills in today’s NBA. Despite modest overall statistics, his elite three-point shooting ability commanded a premium in a league increasingly dependent on floor spacing. The Utah State product averaged 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds while playing 19.7 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season, connecting on 37.2% of his three-point attempts while launching 5.2 per game. His previous season was even more impressive, with a 40.4% conversion rate from beyond the arc.
Luxury Tax Consequences and Backcourt Restructuring
The Cavaliers’ commitment to Merrill comes at a significant financial cost. Already operating above the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax, Cleveland will see their projected tax penalty balloon to approximately $143 million with this signing. This substantial investment demonstrates the organization’s prioritization of three-point shooting specialists who can complement their star players. The willingness to absorb such a tax burden signals the front office’s belief that Merrill’s floor-spacing ability is essential to their championship aspirations.
Cleveland’s backcourt is undergoing a significant transformation this offseason. The acquisition of Lonzo Ball via trade and the retention of Merrill indicate a clear strategic direction, while simultaneously suggesting the team expects to lose free agent guard Ty Jerome, who had emerged as a Sixth Man candidate. Jerome is reportedly seeking a contract near the $14.1 million mid-level exception, a figure the tax-burdened Cavaliers appear unwilling to match given their commitment to Merrill.
Historical Significance of Merrill’s Contract
Merrill’s new deal makes him the highest-paid 60th overall draft pick in NBA history, a testament to his development and the Cavaliers’ player development system. By the conclusion of this contract, Merrill will have earned nearly $45.7 million in career earnings—an astronomical return for a player once considered an afterthought in the draft. His contract serves as inspiration for late draft picks and undrafted players throughout the league, demonstrating that specialized skills can still command premium salaries in the modern NBA.
“Sam represents everything we value in a Cleveland Cavalier,” said team president Koby Altman. “His work ethic, professionalism, and elite shooting ability have made him an integral part of our culture and on-court success. We’re thrilled to secure him as part of our core for the foreseeable future.”
Merrill’s playoff contributions further justified his new contract. During Cleveland’s run to the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals, he averaged 5.8 points in 20 minutes per game, providing crucial floor spacing that allowed the Cavaliers’ stars to operate more effectively. His ability to draw defenders beyond the three-point line created driving lanes for Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, making Cleveland’s offense significantly more dynamic.
Financial Implications for Cavaliers’ Future
The substantial luxury tax implications of Merrill’s contract highlight a growing trend among contending NBA teams: the willingness to pay premium prices for specialized role players. With Cleveland’s luxury tax bill projected to increase by approximately $50 million due to this signing, the organization is demonstrating its commitment to championship contention regardless of cost. This approach stands in stark contrast to the cost-cutting measures employed by many small-market teams.
Conservative financial analysts might question the wisdom of allocating nearly $10 million annually to a player with career averages of 7.2 points per game. However, in the modern NBA economy, where three-point shooting commands a premium, Merrill’s specialized skill set justifies the investment. The contract also reflects the inflated salary cap environment created by the league’s massive television deals, which have driven player salaries to unprecedented heights across all talent tiers.
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