USU’s Sam Merrill Traded To Memphis For Grayson Allen

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A pair of NBA players with local ties are reportedly on the move as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Milwaukee Bucks are trading former Utah State guard Sam Merrill to the Memphis Grizzlies for former Utah Jazz guard Grayson Allen.

Merrill was the 60th pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans but was traded to Milwaukee along with guard Jrue Holiday on draft night.

The former Aggie joined the Bucks after averaging 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in his four-year career at Utah State. Merrill averaged three points and one rebound in 30 appearances for Milwaukee while winning the championship in his first NBA season.

Memphis is trading guard Grayson Allen to Milwaukee for Sam Merrill and two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 6, 2021

The Bucks will send Merrill along with two future second rounds to Memphis in exchange for Allen who began his NBA career with the Jazz.

The Jazz traded Allen to Memphis after his rookie season along with Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, and two future first-round picks in exchange for guard Mike Conley.

Allen has career averages of 8.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in three seasons in the NBA. The Bucks lost guard Bryn Forbes who signed with the San Antonio Spurs during the offseason.

NBA champion and @USUBasketball legend Sam Merrill paid his alma mater a visit. 🏆@kslsports #AggiesAllTheWay #FearTheDeer https://t.co/KO6XntdpzU

— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) July 28, 2021

Merrill was the first former Aggie product to win an NBA title, though former USU forward Marv Roberts won the 1975 ABA title with the Kentucky Colonels.

The rookie guard appeared in one finals game as the Bucks stormed back to defeat the Phoenix Suns four games to two after losing the opening two games of the series in Phoenix.