Lamar Stevens is taking his talents overseas. After five years in the NBA, the six-foot-seven forward is signing with Paris Basketball, per the club.
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native appeared in 19 games, including one start, with the Boston Celtics in the 2023-24 campaign. He averaged 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.4 minutes of playing time.
At the trade deadline, the Celtics traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal that brought Xavier Tillman Sr. to Boston. The latter helped the franchise capture Banner 18.
Most notably, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Tillman registered a pair of rejections and buried a corner three in a stellar third-quarter performance by the Celtics that helped them seize a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks.
Stevens went from Boston's "Stay Ready Group," a.k.a., its extended rotation, to earning more minutes in Memphis. With the Grizzlies decimated by injuries, he averaged 23 minutes of floor time in 19 tilts.
The former Penn State standout produced 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and a tick below 1.0 steals per contest. Those are all career highs for him.
That led to Stevens joining the Detroit Pistons for training camp. After getting cut, he showcased himself in the G League.
There, his performance earned him an opportunity to return to Memphis. Stevens signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Grizzlies. The franchise then signed him to a deal for the duration of the 2024-25 season. In seven games, he generated 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 9.1 minutes on the hardwood.
Another former Celtic recently signed overseas
Oshae Brissett is also joining the international ranks. He signed a two-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv, per the EuroLeague.
The former Celtics forward was in Boston's "Stay Ready Group" with Lamar Stevens in the 2023-24 campaign.
In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals that season, Brissett joined a small-ball lineup that staged a 20-0 first-half run against the Indiana Pacers. He also contributed to a 7-0 burst in the third quarter. That helped Boston gain a 2-0 series edge.
After the Celtics' championship run, Brissett declined his player option, opting for free agency. Unfortunately for him, his free-agent market was not nearly as promising as he hoped.
The former Syracuse star joined the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn's G League affiliate, in January. That led to a 10-day deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Brissett averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in six games while teaming with fellow former Celtic Guerschon Yabusele. He also shared the floor with Lonnie Walker IV, who spent training camp in Boston last season.
Just as Brissett, who recently turned 27, parlayed his opportunity in the G League into an NBA contract in the 2024-25 campaign, he's likely hoping history repeats itself this coming season.