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Penn State Lamar Stevens is Back


Two and a half years ago, the Cavs left the 2019 NBA draft with three first round picks. Darius Garland, Dylan Windler, and Kevin Porter Jr were brought in to expand a young core that only included Collin Sexton at the moment. But they also brought along another rookie, Dean Wade, undrafted out of Kansas State on a 2-way contract.

Wade, a 4-year college senior, didn’t play much at all his rookie year, but managed to impress the team enough that they gave him a lengthy, cheap, non-guaranteed deal. And it’s been one heck of a bargain. Dean busted onto the scene for the Cavs last season and hasn’t looked back.

No longer a guy who you can just call a “stretch 4”, Wade has been a very useful role-player for the Cavs due to his ability to shoot the three, of course, but also play rock solid defense at the 3/4/5, as well as attack closeouts. He’s a well-rounded player who gives you everything you could hope for in a complimentary role.

With Kevin Porter Jr out of town, and Windler never able to find his footing in the league yet, the K-State product helped recoup lost value for the Cavaliers by providing 1st round worth, despite not necessitating a draft pick to retrieve him.

But this article isn’t about Dean Wade. The year after, in the 2020 draft, Cleveland added Isaac Okoro with the 5th overall pick. A strong, athletic wing with an iffy jumper. They also picked up the undrafted Lamar Stevens with a 2-way slot. A strong, athletic wing with an iffy jumper.

Like Dean Wade, a fellow 4-year senior, Lamar Stevens didn’t play much his rookie season. But he made enough of an impression to stick around and receive a lengthy, cheap, non-guaranteed deal.

It certainly wasn’t the offensive side of things that allowed Stevens to make an impact from the get-go. From day one, the former Nittany Lion impressed as a defender. Fellow rookie Isaac Okoro was thrown into the fire in year 1, but in Lamar’s limited minutes it was clear he was the more advanced defender out of the 2.

His combination of size, strength, mobility, communication, and such allow him to already be one of the premier POA defenders in the NBA. He fights through screens well. And he’s just so dang hard to shake. Okoro is the more explosive athlete, but Lamar’s size makes him more effective when contesting shots.

The question has always been whether his offense would be viable enough to make it worth giving him consistent minutes. Isaac Okoro, albeit not a great one, has been the better and more voluminous shooter, as well as being more effective off-the-catch with his nuclear first step and passing off movement.

But with the amount of injuries the Cavs have suffered to their guards this season (Collin Sexton, Ricky Rubio, Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman all missing time) Lamar Stevens has been forced into… actually a *more* familar role for him. With the Cavaliers, he was adjusting to receiving little-to-no touches offensively, whereas in college he was a primary ball-handler for Penn State.

Starting at the 2-spot recently, in place of Okoro (who was in place of Sexton), Stevens has capitalized on the trust that JB Bickerstaff has instilled in him. At 6’6” 230 lbs, Lamar is comfortable with the ball in his hands and taking shots that would appear incredibly tough for most low-usage players in the NBA.

He’s got a pretty nice handle and a remarkable knack for hitting difficult jumpers in the mid-range, despite being a poor shooter from deep. He doesn’t have that hyper-explosive first step, but gathers momentum quickly and is strong going to the rack and finishing through contact. His years of being Big Ten Kobe prepared him for such an unlikely time as this.

And now, the flashes he’s showing has certain fellas like me pretty excited about what could come if the Cavs were to invest in him more than just this immediate stretch of time. The NBA is seeing a new wave of young ball-handlers rise up and take the stage: strong, skilled, athletic power-wings. Guys like OG Anunoby, Miles Bridges, Franz Wagner, Cade Cunningham, Keldon Johnson, Jonathan Kuminga, etc. Lamar Stevens fits the description.

His 3-ball isn’t up to par, but that mid-range pull-up/fadeaway is a legitimate tool in his arsenal. Not the most efficient shot in the world, but it's never bad to have options. If the defense respects the shot, it opens up other areas of his game. He’ll bully you down low, be it driving at you or on a post-up. The NBA sophomore is still raw and a work in progress in regards to making it all work at the NBA-level, but his ascension makes potential trades for the Cam Reddish’s of the world less appetizing and perhaps Isaac Okoro more expendable.

The bargain deals of both Wade and Stevens are just another testament to the underrated prowess of newly-extended Koby Altman in his role. He’s turned the Cavs around quickly, building a very promising young core that’s among the best in the league. And there might just be one more name to add to that list.

Invest in Lamar Stevens.

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