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3 Cleveland Charge standouts the Cavs could sign in free agency

By Josh Cornelissen

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 26: Jamorko Pickett #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a photo during Media Day at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on September 26, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 26: Jamorko Pickett #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a photo during Media Day at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on September 26, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Sam Merrill, pictured on Memphis Grizzlies. Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images /

3 Cleveland Charge standouts Cavs could sign in FA: Sam Merrill

Sam Merrill was a late second-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, a pure shooter who had enough scoring and passing verve to be worth the flier despite his poor athleticism. Unfortunately, Merrill’s shortcomings doomed him on the Bucks and Grizzlies and he ended up being waived heading into this season.

The Cleveland Charge took advantage and drafted him first overall in this year’s G-League Draft. He has played in all of the Charge’s games thus far, averaging 8.5 3-point attempts per game to lead the team. A poor shooting weekend dropped his 3-point percentage to 35.3 percent but his form is pure, he is perfect from the line and history suggests that will float back up to his normal percentage above 40 percent.

Merrill is functioning well as a secondary playmaker for the Charge and is doing so without a glut of turnovers, the bugaboo that has otherwise plagued the Charge’s offense. He isn’t much of a defender and can’t create his own space, but his off-ball work is top-notch. He still has a chance to make it in the league as a bench gunner, and the Cavs could find that is just the sort of player that they need.

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There are other players making an impact on the Charge as well, from guard Nate Hinton stuffing the stat sheet to Chander Vaudrin spraying assists when he is on the court. The Cavs have put together a team in the G League where players can thrive and they just might find their 15th man among its ranks.