Former Cavs Spark Plug Signs With Celtics, Per Report

Lamar Stevens signed with the Boston Celtics after being traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this offseason.

© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

A familiar name for Cleveland Cavaliers fans just recently signed with their Eastern Conference rival. 

Lamar Stevens was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in the three-team deal that brought Max Strus to Cleveland. The Spurs ended up waiving Stevens making him a free agent and eligible to sign wherever he pleased.

The Boston Celtics recognized what he could bring to their team and reportedly signed him to a deal. Shams Carania of the Athletic was the first to report on the signing.

Free agent G/F Lamar Stevens has agreed to a deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Stevens established himself as a defensive presence for the Cavs, starting in 25 of 62 games last season. Agent Scott Nichols completed deal with Celtics officials.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2023

Stevens spent three full seasons with the Cavaliers before moving onto a new chapter in his career. He played in 165 total games and averaged 5.3 points,2.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists while shooting 46.7 percent from the field.

These stats don't suggest that Lamar had a massive impact on the Cavs but that couldn't be further from the truth. Stevens was the heart and soul of the grittiness Cleveland possessed over the last few years.

The Cavs would hand out an award after every win last season and that player or coach was donned the title of Junkyard Dog for that game and got to wear the flashy "C" chain. 

Mar 8, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens (8) dribbles the basketball during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports / © Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

This mentality and idea stemmed from Stevens' intensity and style of play he brought to practice and when he checked into games. 

Stevens may now be on the roster of an Eastern Conference rival but the mentality that he was a part of starting will need to remain with the Cavaliers if they hope to make a deep playoff run in 2023.