The Memphis Grizzlies were dealt a harsh blow on Thursday night, succumbing to a 127-113 defeat at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. Despite taking an early 13-point lead in the opening quarter, the Grizzlies saw their advantage dissipate as the Pacers rallied, scoring a whopping 50 points in the second period alone and outpacing the Grizzlies by 24.
In the wake of this disappointing loss, however, the Grizzlies revealed a strategic roster move. The team announced that they had signed 27-year-old forward Lamar Stevens to a 10-day contract. This news followed reports that surfaced ahead of the game suggesting a potential signing. The official statement read: “The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team signed forward Lamar Stevens to a 10-day contract as a Call-Up from the NBA G League’s Motor City Cruise. In a related move, the Grizzlies waived guard Johnny Davis.”
Stevens, a proven talent, is no stranger to the Grizzlies’ roster. Last season, he played 19 games with the Grizzlies, recording an average of 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds throughout his tenure. Since then, the 6-foot-6 forward has been honing his skills with the Detroit Pistons’ G League affiliate team, the Motor City Cruise.
His impressive performance with the Cruise this season, boasting averages of 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 18 games, suggests that Stevens could be a valuable addition to the Grizzlies’ lineup. His record speaks to his ability to provide depth and versatility to the squad and it is expected that he will continue to demonstrate his skills in the days to come.
As part of this strategic move, the Grizzlies released Johnny Davis. The former tenth-overall pick, who was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Grizzlies at the trade deadline, did not make an appearance on the court while in Memphis.
The signing of Stevens on a 10-day contract could potentially provide a much-needed boost to the Grizzlies’ lineup. Given his past performances and recent G League exploits, it would not be surprising if Stevens is offered further opportunities within the team.
