Cavs forward Sam Merrill has expressed his excitement about working with new head coach Kenny Atkinson ahead of the new campaign. In an interview for ‘Locked on Cavs‘ the three-point specialist, Merrill spoke about Atkinson and his coaching staff.
“Yeah, really excited about the group we have and the new staff”
Sam Merrill Excited to Work With New Head Coach
About Merrill
Merrill enters this season following a career-best 2023-24. The Utah State Aggie has bounced around the G-League and training camp rosters before landing a solid shot with Cleveland in 2022. Last season Merrill averaged 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting a blistering 40.4% from three. Merrill cemented himself a spot in the Cavs rotation late in 2023 as he became a consistent threat from behind the arc. During January, Merrill averaged 12.4 points a contest while shooting 42.7% from three.
The 28-year-old was an undrafted free agent out of college. He appeared in just 41 games across his first three NBA seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies before landing in Cleveland. Head coach Atkinson will be tasked with finding minutes for Merrill in a competitive bench. The Cavs found success when Merrill was in the rotation because of the attention he draws coming off screens, and off the dribble.
“…we haven’t really gotten into system — plays or anything like that.” Merrill said. “But it’s clear there’s a way that we’re tryin’ to play, and we’ve been trying to simulate decision-making, quick decisions, playing out of advantages and just trying to play the right way offensively.”
Atkinson And Merrill
Atkinson’s offensive style will benefit a player like Merrill, who is an offensive-minded player. The high pace of play will allow Merrill to attempt more threes. Last season Merrill took 5.8 threes per game, a career-high. However, he could have an expanded role this season as Atkinson will likely want to keep his shooting in the lineup. Cleveland’s bench struggled with shooting last year. As a team in the postseason, the Cavs shot 31.5% from three. Merrill however, shot a steady 37%. If the past remains true this season, Merrill will be of the utmost importance to Atkinson off the bench.
Previously, Atkinson worked with Joe Harris during his time as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Harris, who recently retired, had the best stretch of his career under Atkinson’s guidance. From 2016-2020, Harris shot 43% from three while averaging 12.0 points per game. Additionally, Harris shot a staggering 47.4% from behind the arc in the 2018-19 season which led the league. Harris and Merrill have very similar play styles which could see the Cavs shooter benefit greatly under Atkinson. If Merrill can replicate Harris’ production for the Cavs he could be considered one of the best shooters in the league by this time next year.
The Last Word
Overall, Merrill is a relatively unproven player during his short NBA career. However, his explosion last season seems to be a sign of things to come. Atkinson’s style of play will be beneficial for Merrill across the course of the season. An improvement in production and efficiency this season could be exactly what the Cavs need to make a deep playoff run.
