Tag: Lamar Stevens

Report: Rockets among teams showing interest in free agent Lamar Stevens

Free agent swingman Lamar Stevens has drawn interest from the Rockets, Celtics, Timberwolves, and Heat, HoopsHype’s @MikeAScotto reports.

Free agent swingman Lamar Stevens has drawn interest from several teams according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Among the teams are the Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat.

A 6-foot-6, 230-pound forward, the 26-year-old is well regarded for his tenacity and defensive versatility. In three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Stevens averaged 5.3 points (46.7% FG, 28.1% on 3-pointers), 2.8 rebounds and 16 minutes per game.

Scotto notes Houston’s roster could have more flexibility, depending on what happens with Kevin Porter Jr. in the aftermath of his arrest for an alleged assault and strangulation.

NBA teams are allowed to have expanded rosters in the offseason through training camp and the preseason, so it’s at least possible that Houston could evaluate Stevens for a potential 2023-24 role once training camp opens in early October.

Head coach Ime Udoka is well regarded for his emphasis on defensive culture and intensity, which could suit Stevens well.

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What can Lamar Stevens bring to the Boston Celtics?

His athleticism and defensive abilities are intriguing, but are they enough to justify the signing?

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What can free agent forward Lamar Stevens bring to the Boston Celtics?

The Celtics have reportedly brought in the former Cleveland Cavalier for a workout to see if he is the best fit out of a group of four forwards the Celtics are considering for one of their two regular and one two-way roster spots still unoccupied for the NBA’s 2023-24 season.

While he’s not a great 3-point shooter, he could be a valuable asset if he improves his shooting. As a franchise with designs on contention, however, does Boston have the time or reps to help him along that path this season? His athleticism and defensive abilities are intriguing, but are they enough to justify the signing?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast sat down to talk it over on a recent episode.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Which free agent forward should the Boston Celtics sign?

Glenn Robinson III, Lamar Stevens, Louis King, and TJ Warren are all competing for a spot with the Celtics per reports.

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The Boston Celtics are reportedly working out four wing prospects to add to their 2023-24 roster. The four are Glenn Robinson III, Lamar Stevens, Louis King and TJ Warren. They might also want to bring back veteran big Blake Griffin.

Boston has two regular roster spots and a two-way roster spot available. In addition, the contract for veteran big man Luke Kornet is not guaranteed. That means Boston could add as many as four of those five players. Far more likely is it will add only two and keep Kornet.

The host of the “Locked On Celtics” podcast, John Karalis, recently sat down with guest Tom Westerholm of Boston Dot Com to talk over what players are the best fit for the Celtics and more.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear their takes on Boston’s final roster-building moves.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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San Antonio Spurs waive Lamar Stevens following trade

The San Antonio Spurs have waived Lamar Stevens.

The San Antonio Spurs have waived forward Lamar Stevens, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Spurs had previously acquired Stevens in a deal earlier this summer when they helped facilitate the three-team trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, which saw Max Strus signed and traded to the Cavaliers.

Stevens just wrapped up his third NBA season, all spent with the Cavaliers, and he’s been a solid defender throughout his time in the league. The 6-foot-6, 26-year-old forward has thrived on that end of the court and is also an above-average rebounder for his position. He was a relatively consistent face in Cleveland’s rotation.

This past season, Stevens appeared in 62 games for the Cavaliers, including 25 starts, and played a career-high 18.1 minutes per contest. He averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 44.8% from the field and 31.6% from behind the three-point line.

Stevens could have been a solid piece in the Spurs’ rotation next season, especially as a defensive-minded guy, but they simply have too many players on the roster.

Prior to waiving Stevens, the Spurs had 18 players on their roster, and even with him gone, they need to cut at least two more players before heading into next year. And that doesn’t account for Dominick Barlow, who played very well in Summer League and remained unsigned.

Unfortunately for Stevens, he was simply a casualty of San Antonio having too many guys and not enough roster spots.

But with his talent on the defensive side of the ball, it seems likely that some team around the association will scoop him up.

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Lamar Stevens cut by San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs release former Penn State star Lamar Stevens

It looked like [autotag]Lamar Stevens[/autotag] was getting a change of scenery for the upcoming 2023-24 season after he was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the San Antonio Spurs.

He was included in a three-team trade that was headlined by guard Max Strus heading from the Miami Heat to the Cavaliers.

Stevens was set to make $1.93 million if he was kept on the Spurs roster past today when his contract was set to become fully guaranteed.

After going undrafted in 2020, Stevens signed a two-way contract with Cleveland that had him spend time with the G League affiliate Cleveland Charge. He made his NBA debut in his rookie season three days after Christmas.

Later that season, Stevens hit a game winning shot against the Atlanta Falcons on February 23rd, 2021. His performances at the NBA level allowed him to sign a multi-year contract extension with the Cavaliers on April 14th, 2021.

All three of his professional seasons were spent in Cleveland before he was traded to the Spurs. With San Antonio full at the wing position, they decided to cut Stevens.

In 165 games, he has a career average of 5.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game on 46.7% shooting from the field.

This past season, he started 25 games and appeared in 62. During 18.1 minutes per game he averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds on 44.8% shooting. Stevens did shoot his best percentage from three point range last year with 31.6%.

Before the 2023 NBA Draft, Stevens was the only active Penn State basketball player who was playing in the NBA.

There could still be a market for the Penn State alum during the offseason. At 6’6″, he has the size to play on the wing at the NBA level. He’ll have to hope that a team brings him into their camp and he makes the roster to continue playing in the NBA.

Follow Brad Wakai on Twitter and TikTok

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ESPN Mock Draft has both Jalen Pickett and Seth Lundy getting drafted

According to ESPN’s mock NBA draft, Penn State’s Seth Lundy and Jalen Pickett are about to be drafted.

With the NBA Draft coming up on Thursday, media outlets are putting together their mock drafts based on the information they’re hearing and what players fit best with prospective teams.

While [autotag]Jalen Pickett[/autotag] and [autotag]Seth Lundy[/autotag] aren’t expected to be first round picks, there is potential they can make history for Penn State basketball during the NBA Draft.

According to Real GM, there has only been 14 Penn State basketball players ever selected in the NBA Draft. The last player drafted was [autotag]Tony Carr[/autotag] in 2018 when he was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round.

There has also never been two Penn State players taken in the same NBA Draft in the program’s history.

ESPN’s most recent mock draft is predicting Pickett and Lundy will both hear their names called on Thursday night. Jonathan Givony, who released the mock, is as plugged into draft coverage as anyone in the country.

ESPN has the Penn State stars being selected one after another in the second round. Pickett is projected to be drafted by the Washington Wizards at 42 and Lundy is projected to be selected by Portland Trail Blazers at 43.

If both are selected on Thursday, they’ll make program history. But both players will want to make a name for themselves at the next level like they did in college and stick in the NBA.

The only Penn State player on an NBA roster currently is [autotag]Lamar Stevens[/autotag] with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While Pickett and Lundy almost certainly won’t be first round draft picks, they are continuing to add to the incredible legacy of the 2022-23 team.

Follow Brad Wakai on Twitter and TikTok

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Penn State favored to land 2024 top 100 player

Penn State basketball a favorite to land this top 100 player in 2024

Penn State basketball has increased their level of recruiting in recent years. In 2015, they landed [autotag]Josh Reaves[/autotag] who was the first four-star recruit in program history. The next year, [autotag]Tony Carr[/autotag] and [autotag]Lamar Stevens[/autotag] were the only other four-star recruits to come to Penn State.

[autotag]Micah Shrewsberry[/autotag] has been able to land some high end talent since he’s taken over the reigns in State College. [autotag]Kebba Njie[/autotag] was a four-star in the class of 2022. [autotag]Carey Booth[/autotag] is a four-star commit from the 2023 class.

Now, it looks like another four-star might be coming to play for Penn State.

[autotag]Sir Mohammed[/autotag] is a 6’6″ wing player in North Carolina. He’s the son of former Kentucky and 18-year NBA player [autotag]Nazr Mohammed[/autotag].

Originally a native of Lexington, Kentucky, Mohammed now plays his high school basketball at Myers Park in Charlotte, NC. 247Sports has him ranked as the 73rd best player in the country for the 2024 class.

On Monday, Mohammed announced his top six schools.

He hasn’t ranked any of the schools on his list and is not excluding any of the other schools who are currently recruiting him.

There are 21 programs who have offered him a scholarship. Some of the top schools outside of his top six include Michigan, Providence, Georgetown, Ohio State, Xavier, NC State, Cincinnati and Notre Dame.

While Mohammed said his top six aren’t ranked in a particular order as of now, On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine thinks Penn State will land the four-star recruit.

Right now, the Nittany Lions are given a 47.1% chance to land him. Stanford is second with a 32.1% chance.

Mohammed told On3’s Joe Tipton what he’s liked about Penn State so far saying, “The relationship made with the Coach Shrewsberry and Coach Aki and the rest of the staff has been amazing and both my unofficial and official visit were great.”

As Penn State fans wait to see if Shrewsberry will stay with the program, it’s good to see recruits are still in including Penn State on their lists.

Follow Brad Wakai on Twitter and TikTok

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Warriors Wire Mock Draft: Final predictions for the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft

Before the 2020 NBA draft is underway, here is Warriors Wire’s final predictions for the Golden State Warriors.

For the first time since 2002, the Golden State Warriors will be on the clock with a top-five selection in the NBA draft. Following a lengthy wait, the Warriors will soon make their highly-anticipated selection for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. There’s still a bevy of question marks around the draft with only hours till the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the clock with the first pick.

As Golden State’s championship core gears up for a climb back to contention, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr could opt to trade the pick for a proven veteran who can fit with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

If they hold the pick, the Warriors could eye a big prospect that can provide consistency to their frontcourt or a wing piece that can add a punch to the rotation behind the Splash Brothers.

Top-prospects like James Wiseman out of Memphis, Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, Illawarra Hawk’s LaMelo Ball, Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Deni Avdija will be in play for the Warriors in the first round. Following their top pick, Myers and Kerr will turn their attention to their two picks in the second round.

Before the long-awaited No. 2 overall pick is on the clock, Warriors Wire has final predictions for the Golden State Warriors’ selections in the first and second rounds of the 2020 NBA draft.

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Warriors add burst of athleticism and needed depth in the NBA Wire two-round mock draft

After landing James Wiseman in the first round, the Warriors added Nico Mannion and Lamar Stevens in round two of the NBA Wire mock draft.

With the long-awaited NBA draft just days away, the editors and writers at USA TODAY’s SMG Network joined forces for a full two-round mock draft.

Each editor split up to take over as general managers for different teams on the draft big board.

While trade offers were available, the Warriors Wire team decided to stay on the clock and make the pick at No. 2 overall. With Georgia’s Anthony Edwards off the board to the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 1, the Golden State Warriors landed Memphis center James Wiseman with the second pick in the draft.

Although intriguing prospects like LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, Deni Avdija and Devin Vassell were on the board, the Memphis big man checked off a myriad of boxes for Golden State’s draft needs. While providing a boost of athleticism and size to the rotation, Wiseman could serve as a potential foundational piece for Golden State’s future.

Via Rookie Wire:

While there’s no doubt they will explore moving the pick for an established veteran, one prospect still gives Golden State a win-now threat with a building block for the future. James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick fills a positional need in the frontcourt while providing a much-needed jolt of athleticism to Kerr’s rotation.

After Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee and Andrew Bogut primarily roamed the center position during the Curry era, Wiseman provides a new dynamic to Golden State’s roster. As the 19-year-old continues to develop his jumper and build experience, Wiseman could immediately serve as a devastating lob threat in Kerr’s up-tempo offense and a rim protector behind Green on the defensive end.

If the former McDonald’s All-American lives up to his pre-draft hype, Wiseman could be the centerpiece of Golden State’s bridge between their veteran-championship core and the future.

Forty-six picks later, Warriors Wire was back on the clock with Golden State’s first second-round pick. While it’s likely Myers and Kerr target potential stash pieces, prospects like Abdoulaye N’Doye and Leandro Bolmaro were off the board at No. 48.

Instead of a stash, Warriors Wire selected a former five-star recruit in the second round. Arizona’s Nico Mannion could provide depth at point guard while learning from Curry.

Although Jordan Poole showed glimpses of potential in a playmaking point guard role for Golden State last season, the Warriors could still use another piece to develop behind Stephen Curry. With shooters around him, Nico Mannion could show off his impressive passing arsenal in Steve Kerr’s offense.

Similar to Golden State’s past picks like Draymond Green and Eric Paschall, Warriors Wire opted for an established college veteran with their final pick in the 2020 draft. At No. 51 overall, Penn State’s Lamar Stevens lands in the Bay Area.

The Warriors have had success when drafting experienced college players in the past with Draymond Green and Eric Paschall. After averaging double-figures in scoring in all four of his seasons in Happy Valley, Lamar Stevens fits Golden State’s profile for a second-round pick.

View the complete NBA Wire mock draft here.

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2020 NBA Draft Big Board 5.0: Final update ranking Top 100 prospects

After numerous delays and postponements, front offices and draftniks have had more time to analyze the 2020 NBA draft than any previous year.

After numerous delays and postponements, front offices and draftniks have had more time to analyze the 2020 NBA draft than any previous year.

Originally scheduled for June, the ongoing pandemic pushed the big night back by five months. While this may cause some teams to overthink their decisions, it gave analysts plenty of time to study all of the top prospects eligible in this class.

This year, players had to participate in a mostly virtual pre-draft process. On the bright side, this meant that teams had the opportunity to interview more candidates than ever before.

However, the number of in-person visits were incredibly limited due to the restrictive parameters set by the league. Similarly, the NBA draft combine was conducted without the typical scrimmages where players can separate themselves from the others with impressive on-court performances.

Overall, the players that stood out in this pre-draft process had a different path to recognition than any other year. College basketball players did not have the opportunity to showcase themselves during March Madness. The nation’s top seniors did not get to participate in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.

As such, executives will rely mostly on the existing game footage as well as the intel they gathered during their conversations with the prospects. We also depended on similar strategies, getting access to one-on-one interviews with more than three dozen prospects and exchanging our thoughts with various scouts across the league.

This helped us put together our final big board, looking at the Top 100 players ranked on their potential to make a difference for teams in the NBA.

Relevant statistics were pulled from Synergy Sports Tech, Bart-Torvik, KenPom, Open Look Analytics and RealGM. Note that the age listed for each player references how old they will be on the night of the draft.