These 3 Cavs need to reach out and seize a rotation spot in preseason

3 Cavs who can seize a rotation spot in preseason: Lamar Stevens

Lamar Stevens is the kind of player every head coach wants on the roster, a vocal leader and tireless worker who fights for every inch on defense and offense. The problem with Stevens is that his flaws balance out his strengths to an extent that the Cavs are unlikely to have Stevens written into that final rotation spot.

In two seasons with the team, Stevens has hit only 24.4 percent of his 3-pointers on very low volume. He is bringing virtually nothing as a passer or playmaker, and while he has some straight-line driving juice, he’s much more effective as a cutter and off-ball player. Add in his high foul rate and he isn’t the answer for what ails them.

He certainly does have some strengths. One of those is, um, strength. He is just 6’6″ tall but that strength allows him to guard larger players, and when he does take on smaller wings and guards that strength makes him into a mobile brick wall. He is also an excellent finisher, shooting 72.1 percent with the Cavs from 0-3 feet.

If Stevens comes out bombing away from 3-point range and goes, say 9-for-19 from deep, that volume + accuracy will make Bickerstaff think twice about leaving him out of the rotation. His defensive fire is infectious, and having a true 3-and-D option at the 3 will make the Cavs that much more dangerous. If he shoots, say, 2-for-7 it will mean a long shot to pass Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro to get into the regular rotation.