CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers have resecured two familiar faces for the upcoming season. On Sunday, the team officially announced the re-signing of guard Sam Merrill to a four-year contract, and the return of forward Larry Nance Jr. on a one-year deal, marking his second stint with the franchise. Additionally, the Cavaliers confirmed the acquisition of point guard Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Isaac Okoro, formalizing the transaction on the first day of the signing period.
Sam Merrill, who averaged 7.2 points and successfully sank 137 3-pointers in 71 appearances last season, has become a valued asset for the Cavaliers. His standout performance on February 2 at Dallas, where he racked up 27 points and nine 3-pointers, highlighted his potential. Originally the last pick of the 2020 draft by New Orleans, Merrill joined Cleveland in March 2023. His return became essential after Ty Jerome signed with Memphis.
Larry Nance Jr., who previously played a significant part of his NBA career with the Cavaliers from 2018 to 2021, rejoins the team where he played 182 games, starting 76, and averaged 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-8 forward/center was also a member of the Cavaliers squad that competed in the NBA Finals in 2018. Last season, Nance played in Atlanta averaging 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds over 24 games. Nance has also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, who picked him 27th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, as well as for the Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans across his decade-long career.
The Nance family holds a unique place in NBA history as one of the few with three members playing for the same franchise, with Larry Nance Sr. representing the Cavaliers from 1988 to 1994, and Pete Nance following suit. Larry Nance Jr. will once again wear jersey number 22 for the Cavaliers, a nod to his father’s number, which was retired in 1995.
With the addition of Lonzo Ball, the Cavaliers secure an experienced point guard to fill in for Darius Garland, who is anticipated to miss the start of the season due to surgery on his left big toe. Ball concluded the recent season with averages of 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over 35 games. This followed his absence from the league during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons because of a persistent left knee injury. Ball, aged 27, underwent a meniscus and cartilage transplant in his left knee in March 2023 after two previous surgeries failed to address the issue from his debut season in Chicago in 2021-22. He has one more year on his current contract, with a team option for the 2026-27 season.