Sam Merrill’s Rise Is Powering a New-Look Cavs Offense - And It’s No Fluke
CLEVELAND - If you’ve been watching the Cavaliers lately and wondering why the offense suddenly looks sharper, more fluid, and, frankly, more dangerous - look no further than Sam Merrill.
Yes, that Sam Merrill.
He’s not the flashiest name on the roster, but right now, he’s the piece that’s making everything click. During Cleveland’s 141-118 blowout win over the Pelicans, Merrill drained six threes and lit up the box score.
But that’s just the surface. What’s happening underneath is even more important - and it’s reshaping how this team operates on offense.
The Movement Shooter Cleveland Didn’t Know It Needed
Merrill isn’t just spacing the floor - he’s stretching defenses to their breaking point. His off-ball movement, constant relocation, and ability to shoot on the move are forcing opponents to make tough choices.
Stick with him and open up the lane? Or help inside and risk giving up a clean look from deep?
That dilemma is exactly what head coach Kenny Atkinson’s offense thrives on. And Merrill fits it like a glove.
“If Atkinson’s system is going to hum, it needs a guy like Merrill,” as Cavs insiders have noted. Think Joe Harris in Brooklyn.
Think Kyle Korver in Atlanta. No, Merrill isn’t a future Hall of Famer, but stylistically, he brings that same gravitational pull.
He’s the kind of player who might not stuff the stat sheet every night, but his mere presence changes the geometry of the floor.
Unlocking the Paint - Without Ever Stepping Inside It
Here’s the wild part: Merrill’s biggest impact might be happening inside the arc - even though he rarely ventures there.
How? By pulling defenders out to the perimeter, he’s opening up the paint in ways the Cavs simply weren’t getting earlier in the season. Cleveland dropped 72 points in the paint against New Orleans - a number that says more about Merrill’s off-ball gravity than it does about any one post-up or drive.
He’s not just hitting shots. He’s creating space. And that space is giving guys like Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland room to operate - and bigs like Evan Mobley clean lanes to roll into.
Earlier in the year, the Cavs' offense looked like it was stuck in quicksand. Everything felt hard.
Possessions dragged. Quality looks were few and far between.
Now? The ball is moving, players are cutting with purpose, and the offense feels like it has rhythm - and identity.
A Rotation Shake-Up That’s Paying Off
Merrill’s return to the rotation didn’t just boost the offense - it sparked a lineup change. Atkinson moved De’Andre Hunter to the bench, shuffling the rotation and leaning into a more balanced, movement-heavy attack.
The result? Against the Pelicans, nine different Cavaliers scored in double figures - something that hadn’t happened since 1992.
That’s not just a stat. That’s a sign of a team that’s sharing the ball, finding the open man, and playing unselfishly.
And while some might point to the competition - Charlotte and New Orleans aren’t exactly defensive juggernauts - the style of play is what stands out. This isn’t just hot shooting. It’s sustainable offense built on principles that have worked for Atkinson before.
The Bigger Picture
Let’s be clear: Merrill isn’t going to average 20 points a night. That’s not the point. His value comes from the way he fits into the system - and makes everyone around him better.
He’s the connector. The guy who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact. The kind of player who forces defenses to react, even when he’s not touching the ball.
And for a Cavs team that’s been searching for offensive consistency all season, that’s a game-changer.
The upcoming schedule will provide a tougher test - a Christmas Day matchup with the Knicks, followed by games against Houston and San Antonio. But if Merrill continues to play this role - the movement shooter who unlocks everything else - Cleveland might have found the key to turning their season around.
He’s not the star. He’s not the headline.
But right now, Sam Merrill is the piece that’s holding the Cavs’ offense together. And if this keeps up, he won’t be flying under the radar much longer.