Cavs can have faith in Lamar Stevens again in spot starts in 2022-23

This season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, I thought one of a number of positives that may have flown somewhat under-the-radar was how Lamar Stevens showed real growth in his second year.

In his rookie campaign, when he was initially a two-way player, Stevens did have flashes as a driving presence, with some mid-range capabilities, on offense. Defensively, he looked to have the makings of a multi-positional defender, and when the opportunities presented themselves, I thought he was an impactful wing defensive piece.

In his second year, Stevens was one of several Cavaliers players that demonstrated noticeable growth when the rotational chances were there for him.

After having 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per contest, in 40 appearances in Year 1, he had 6.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per game in Year 2. That was in 63 appearances, which included 13 starts; he did not have any starts in his first season.

Stevens is not a guy whose game is necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing on the surface, such as is the case with Darius Garland, and can be at times with Evan Mobley, or Lauri Markkanen, to some extent.

But that’s not the point with Stevens. Stevens is a player that can be an impactful player at both ends of the floor when he’s given his share of chances, and I think next season, if needed, the Cavaliers can have more faith in him in some spot starts.

Stevens can be a viable option at times next season if needed in Cavs spot starts, with more experience, and based on his growth in Year 2.

Stevens, as we touched on, had more opportunities in meaningful minutes this season, and as a result, he didn’t exactly hurt his case for minutes next season.

Granted, Lamar is not a dude that’s necessarily going to be a key offensive option for the Cavaliers in stretches of games as an on-ball threat, but he was a much improved cutter this season, and in stretches, he established himself as a quality driver. His finishing has continued to be one of his best attributes as well, as on-ball, his combination of strength, body control and athleticism was on display on display in plenty of occasions last season.

His mid-range abilities were as well, which I don’t discount, and that’s not something that we’ll see often from the likes of guys like Isaac Okoro or Lauri Markkanen. Stevens has some similar qualities there as Collin Sexton and Caris LeVert.

Now, clearly, there are limitations with Stevens, especially as a catch-and-shoot guy. He made some progress in that regard in Year 2, but nothing to write home about, as he only hit 27.7 percent from deep on 1.0 attempts per game. That was not a crucial part of Stevens’ game in his four-year collegiate career at Penn State, either, and that’ll continue to be a point of emphasis for Stevens from here.

And generally, Stevens is not a player that I’d be expecting to predominantly be starting games next season, aside from some games where there’s injuries to one of the 2 or 3 positions, or Dean Wade, for instance, is banged up. Stevens had some starts down the closing stretch of the season for Wade when he was out, with Markkanen starting at the 4, with Jarrett Allen sidelined, for context.

In his last 21 appearances, of which he played 20.1 minutes per outing and had five starts, he did have 8.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest, and shot 50.7 percent. To reiterate, the Cavaliers were banged up in that stretch, but Stevens was among the bright spots for the Wine and Gold then, despite their injuries and late-season slide.

Anyway, while there’s others going to be involved, and the Cavs could potentially look to select a wing in the 2022 NBA Draft next month, Stevens has a real argument for playing more consistent minutes next season. And if he sticks around, as his deal is again non-guaranteed, I could potentially more spot starts in 2022-23, given that unfortunately injuries do happen.

No matter shakes out in that realm, I just hope the 6-foot-6 Stevens, who turns 25 in July just sticks around. He looks to have the makings of an undrafted gem, at least to some degree, for Cleveland.