What Celtics Reportedly Expect From Addition Of Lamar Stevens
The Boston Celtics presumably added the finishing touch to their Opening Night roster Friday, snagging Lamar Stevens from free agency. Stevens, 26, agreed to a contract with the Celtics, per Shams Charania of The Athletic, signaling that Boston has its final piece to complete its 15-man roster. It’ll also provide Stevens, who averaged just 16 […]
The Boston Celtics presumably added the finishing touch to their Opening Night roster Friday, snagging Lamar Stevens from free agency.
Stevens, 26, agreed to a contract with the Celtics, per Shams Charania of The Athletic, signaling that Boston has its final piece to complete its 15-man roster. It’ll also provide Stevens, who averaged just 16 minutes a night through three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a shot at filling a much-needed role.
Before the deal was made, the Celtics reportedly informed Stevens of the expectation in place upon his arrival, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Boston envisions Stevens briding the toughness gap that opened up following the departures of Marcus Smart and Grant Williams this offseason, giving the Penn State alumn a major opportunity on an NBA Finals-contending squad.
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Last season Stevens averaged 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.4 steals and 0.3 blocks in 62 games played for the Cavaliers. He grew into a defensive-first role player in Cleveland, getting his initial NBA shot from the Cavs after going undrafted in 2020.
The offseason wasn’t particularly welcoming to Stevens either. After being dealt in part of a three-team swap that included the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs, Stevens was waived (in July), leaving him short of a roster spot for over two months.
With Stevens’ new Celtics deal being partially guaranteed, the 6-foot-6 veteran will still compete during Boston’s training camp. He joins Dalano Banton, Svi Mykhailiuk and Luke Kornet as Celtics players with non-guaranteed contracts.