Profiling Newest Celtic Lamar Stevens

Here's a look at Lamar Stevens' strengths, weaknesses, and what the newest member of the Celtics will provide.

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Almost a month ago, the Celtics met with and worked out a group of forwards that included Lamar Stevens.

The latter impressed Boston's brass enough to earn the team's 15th and last open roster spot, per Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reported the two sides have agreed to a deal.

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The six-foot-six wing is most impactful at the defensive end, where his six-foot-nine wingspan, strength, and ability to stay with perimeter players as they drive downhill makes him a versatile option for Joe Mazzulla to utilize.

There's also a gritty nature to the Philadelphia native's style of play and an infusion of energy he provides that the Celtics and their fan base will appreciate.

The 26-year-old is a career 28.1 percent three-point shooter on 1.1 attempts from beyond the arc, making him a questionable fit in Mazzulla's offense. However, one way that he circumnavigates that is by crashing the glass.

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That was on display against his new team when Stevens registered eight points and eight rebounds, extending six possessions for the Cavaliers, and generated a plus-minus rating of plus-18 in a home win against the C's last season.

That performance was something Boston took note of.

The three-year veteran, who has spent his entire NBA career with Cleveland, started 25 out of 62 games he played in the 2022-23 campaign. He produced 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per contest.

While the former Penn State Nittany Lion won't be a rotation fixture unless injuries change the equation, he'll make a positive contribution with his defense, rebounding, energy, and grit when he gets his opportunities.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Timberwolves, Rockets, and Heat also had expressed interest in Stevens.

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