top of page
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
2022 Free Agents - Sam Merrill
Summary
Merrill's primary skill is his outside shooting, as he hit 42% from three in college on high volume, and doing so off-the-dribble as well as spotting up, considering he was the go-to guy at Utah State. That shooting hasn't quite translated to the pro game yet, as he has shot 33% from three in the NBA and G-League during his rookie season in '20-'21.
Merrill has good size at 6'5", which allows him to get shots up over a contest, which he is certainly capable of making. He can hit quick catch-and-shoot threes, he can take them off-the-dribble in pick-and-roll, or fire in tight windows coming off dribble hand-offs. He has one of those automatic-looking shots that you expect to always go in, especially when he has it going already. I thought he showed some flashes of competent play in preseason.
There are some real questions about his athleticism, which may limit his ability to finish at the rim or defend at a high level, but his shooting and overall basketball IQ could overshadow those deficiencies. Merrill might struggle to get any guaranteed money as a free agent, but I think he deserves a chance.
Cap Considerations
Merrill was waived by the Grizzlies during the '21-'22 season, and did not finish the season on an NBA roster. Teams will have multiple ways to sign Merrill as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, or the Room MLE or Bi-Annual Exception to sign him. It's also likely that Merrill only gets minimum offers, and may not even get fully-guaranteed offers.
Potential Teams: Pistons, Bulls, Thunder, Pistons, Magic
Predicted Contract: 1-year, $1.8 million (non-guaranteed) with the Pistons
Actual Contract: 2-year, $3.8 million ($150k guaranteed) with the Kings
Merrill signed a lightly-guaranteed two-year minimum contract with Sacramento, but has a decent shot at making the final roster.
Last updated: 8/16/2022
bottom of page