Height
6'4"
Weight
205 lbs
Age
29
College
Utah State
Experience
5 yrs
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsC+
| Year | Team | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 218 | 13.0 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 47.3% | 40.2% | 89.3% |
| 2025-26 | | 46 | 13.0 | 2.6 | 2.3 |
Current Contract
Length
4 years
Total Value
$38.0M
Guaranteed
$17.6M
AAV
$8.5M/yr
Performance Analysis
Sam Merrill earns a C+ Performance grade, reflecting league-average production for a shooting guard. This season, Sam is putting up 13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game across 218 games. Sam's strongest area is FG% at 47.3, which compares favorably to the shooting guard median of 46.0. The biggest area for growth is RPG at 2.6 (shooting guard median: 5.0). Among 147 NBA shooting guards graded this season, Sam ranks 42nd.
Current Sentiment
Sam Merrill has quietly built one of the most positive narratives among role players in Cleveland, earning genuine respect from media and fans who initially viewed him as organizational depth. The sentiment surge stems from his unexpected offensive evolution, particularly his three-point shooting consistency that has made him a legitimate postseason contributor rather than just regular season filler. Beat writers are highlighting his clutch performances and reliable production in meaningful minutes, with some floating "playoff hero" storylines that reflect how dramatically perceptions have shifted from his early career projections. This A- sentiment grade actually aligns well with his solid B- on-court production, suggesting the media isn't overhyping his impact but rather appropriately recognizing a player who has exceeded modest expectations within his defined role. The narrative would need either a significant playoff moment or sustained starting-level production to reach elite sentiment territory, but for now, Merrill enjoys the rare position of being a complementary player whose public perception matches his actual value to Cleveland's competitive aspirations.
Transaction History
No transactions found for this player.
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