Cavaliers Need Merrill’s Three-Point Shot to Return
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill is shooting below his career three-point rate early this season, as the 4-3 team seeks consistency. The concern follows Cleveland’s loss to Oklahoma City on November 2.
Seven games into the 2026-27 season, Cleveland is 4-3, with wins over Minnesota and Milwaukee alongside three losses. The defeat to a short-handed Oklahoma City team on November 2 highlighted concerns about shooting, defensive rebounding and the team’s changing rotations. Merrill’s early performance has become one of the questions for a Cavaliers group adjusting to roster turnover from last season.
Merrill has made 32% of his three-pointers on 5.3 attempts per game, below his career mark of 39%. His effective field-goal percentage has fallen from .624 last season to .532 so far. He had a chance to hit a tying shot against Oklahoma City, but missed. His defensive rating is 116, while his defensive box plus/minus is -0.7.
There have been positives: Merrill is averaging three rebounds per game, a career high, and 2.3 assists. He is also converting 90% of his free throws. His scoring average is his second-highest career mark, though his shooting efficiency has not met the team’s needs.
Merrill missed Cleveland’s final preseason game with elbow soreness and had a hand problem for much of last season. The Cavaliers will need him as they work to settle their identity and strengthen their depth, and there is time for his shooting to improve.