The Boston Celtics have added one other defensive-minded wing to their roster. In accordance with The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Celtics have “agreed to a take care of Lamar Stevens,” nevertheless, particulars of the deal are but to be introduced. Stevens had been an unrestricted free agent following the expiration of his four-year take care of Cleveland.
Free agent G/F Lamar Stevens has agreed to a take care of the Boston Celtics, sources inform @TheAthletic @Stadium. Stevens established himself as a defensive presence for the Cavs, beginning in 25 of 62 video games final season. Agent Scott Nichols accomplished take care of Celtics officers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2023
Assuming Stevens has signed a full NBA contract (reasonably than an Exhibit 10), he’ll take the fifteenth and closing roster spot, thus finalizing the workforce heading into coaching camp. It’s price noting that Luke Kornet, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, and Dalano Banton are all partially assured, with their offers changing into totally assured on January 10.
Stevens performed in 62 regular-season video games for the Cavaliers final season, averaging 5.3 factors and three.3 rebounds per contest. The 6’6’’ wing has developed a popularity for being a defensive drive. Nonetheless, Stevens isn’t a lot of an offensive menace, averaging 61% on the rim, 39% from mid-range, and 33% from deep, per Cleansing The Glass.
The Celtics have now added three new defensive-minded wing gamers over the summer time, with Jordan Walsh and Oshae Brissett additionally becoming a member of the roster. Dalano Banton can also be extra of a defensive-upside venture participant, though he’s technically listed as a degree guard.
As (doubtlessly) the fifteenth man on the roster, Stevens shouldn’t be assured a task throughout the Celtics rotation; nevertheless, following the departure of Marcus Good this summer time, bringing in a hard-nosed defender who creates havoc together with his intense playstyle is sensible.
After a season the place Joe Mazzulla put the workforce’s concentrate on the offensive finish, Brad Stevens has retooled the Celtics with quite a few stingy defenders, in what may very well be a sign of the Celtics returning to their defensive id for the upcoming season.
Boston has additionally added to their teaching workers this summer time, bringing in Sam Cassell and Charles Lee to assist present Mazzulla with some contemporary and skilled voices on the sidelines.
Coaching camp is scheduled to start on October 2, with Boston’s opening preseason sport scheduled for October 8 in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers.
