Sam Merrill Defies Odds with Record-Breaking NBA Payday

(LibertySociety.com) – Sam Merrill’s remarkable journey from being the NBA draft’s final pick to signing a historic $38 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers proves that sometimes the last shall indeed be first.

Key Takeaways

• Sam Merrill, the 60th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has signed a four-year, $38 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, making him the highest-paid final draft pick in NBA history.
• Merrill’s sharpshooting abilities (37.2% from three-point range) earned him this substantial payday despite modest overall statistics (7.2 points per game).
• The Cavaliers are investing heavily in their backcourt, having also traded for Lonzo Ball while expecting to lose free agent Ty Jerome.
• Cleveland’s commitment to Merrill will significantly increase their luxury tax bill, demonstrating their willingness to spend for roster continuity.
• Merrill’s career trajectory—from 10-day contract to multi-million dollar deal—represents one of the NBA’s most impressive development success stories.

From Last Pick to Multi-Millionaire: Merrill’s Remarkable Rise

In a league where draft position often dictates career trajectory, Sam Merrill has defied all expectations. The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a four-year, $38 million contract with the 29-year-old sharpshooter, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. This remarkable deal transforms Merrill from the afterthought 60th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft into the highest-paid final draft selection in league history. His journey included stops with the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies before finding his home in Cleveland via a humble 10-day contract in 2023.

Merrill’s development represents everything NBA teams hope for but rarely achieve with late draft selections. After joining the Cavaliers on that initial 10-day contract, he quickly proved his value as a specialist, earning a multi-year deal that has now blossomed into this substantial commitment. His elite three-point shooting ability (37.2% on 5.2 attempts per game last season) provides critical floor spacing for a Cavaliers offense that has sometimes struggled with perimeter consistency. The contract, negotiated by agents Kieran Piller and Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, will see Merrill earn nearly $45.7 million in career earnings by its conclusion.

Luxury Tax Consequences: Cleveland’s Expensive Commitment

The Cavaliers’ decision to retain Merrill comes with significant financial implications. Already operating above the NBA’s second luxury tax apron, Cleveland will see their projected tax penalty increase to a staggering $143 million with this signing. This represents an additional $50 million in tax penalties just to keep Merrill in wine and gold. Such financial commitment demonstrates the organization’s belief in both Merrill’s continued development and the importance of maintaining roster continuity for a team that reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season.

This substantial investment comes despite Merrill’s relatively modest statistical production. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 71 games while playing 19.7 minutes per night. However, his specialized skill set as an elite shooter makes him far more valuable than traditional box scores suggest. In the previous season, Merrill connected on 40.4% of his three-point attempts, establishing himself as one of the league’s most reliable perimeter threats. During Cleveland’s playoff run, he contributed 5.8 points per game in 20 minutes of action.

Backcourt Reshuffling: Ball In, Jerome Out

Merrill’s extension represents just one piece of Cleveland’s backcourt reconstruction. The team recently traded for former second overall pick Lonzo Ball, signaling their intention to pair him with All-Star guard Darius Garland in the starting lineup. This acquisition, combined with Merrill’s extension, strongly indicates that free agent Ty Jerome will not return despite his strong candidacy for Sixth Man of the Year honors last season. Jerome is expected to seek a contract near the $14.1 million mid-level exception elsewhere.

“The Cavaliers have made a clear statement about valuing specialized skills over traditional production metrics,” said NBA analyst Marcus Thompson. “Merrill’s elite shooting creates spacing that makes everyone else on the court more effective. In today’s NBA, that skill commands premium dollars regardless of draft position or overall statistical output.”

The Cavaliers’ willingness to absorb such significant luxury tax penalties speaks volumes about their championship aspirations. While teams like Golden State and Boston have demonstrated that tax penalties are often the price of contention, Cleveland’s front office is clearly signaling to fans and players alike that they believe their current core can compete at the highest level. Merrill’s extension, though expensive, maintains valuable continuity for a team looking to break through in the Eastern Conference.

A Blueprint for Development Success

Merrill’s career trajectory offers a blueprint for how NBA teams should develop specialized talent. Rather than expecting immediate contributions or versatile skill sets from late draft picks, Cleveland identified Merrill’s elite shooting ability and created a role that maximized this singular talent. By focusing development resources on enhancing his already exceptional shooting while gradually expanding his defensive capabilities, the Cavaliers transformed a fringe roster player into a valuable rotation piece worth significant investment.

“What Sam has accomplished is truly remarkable,” said former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick. “To go from the last pick in the draft to earning this kind of contract speaks to his work ethic and the organization’s player development system. His story should inspire every late draft pick and undrafted player that there’s a path to success if you excel in your specific role.”

As the Cavaliers continue building around their core of Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, specialized role players like Merrill will be crucial to their championship aspirations. While critics may question investing so heavily in a player with limited statistical production, Cleveland’s front office clearly understands that championship teams require both stars and perfectly cast supporting actors. For Merrill, this contract represents not just financial security but validation of his journey from draft afterthought to essential contributor.

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