Grizzlies To Sign Lamar Stevens, Waive Ex-Lottery Pick Johnny Davis

The Grizzlies are set to sign forward Lamar Stevens to a 10-day contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. In order to make room for Stevens on the roster, the team will waive former NBA lottery pick Johnny Davis.

Stevens, 27, brings four years of NBA experience to Memphis. He previously played for the Grizzlies last season, appearing in 19 games with two starts, averaging 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks per contest.

Despite his contributions, the Grizzlies did not re-sign Stevens last summer. This season, he has been without an NBA contract, instead playing with the Pistons’ G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, where he has averaged 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks over 29 games.

A Penn State alum, Stevens went undrafted in 2020 before signing a two-way contract with the Cavaliers. He earned a standard contract by the end of his rookie year and spent three seasons with the Cavs before being traded to the Spurs in a deal involving Max Strus.

Davis, the 22-year-old forward acquired by Memphis in a trade with Washington earlier this month, was selected 10th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. He appeared in 112 games for the Wizards, averaging 3.5 points per game.

However, Davis did not see playing time with the Grizzlies and is now set to become a free agent, with Charania noting that Davis could attract interest from other teams.

Once Stevens’ contract is finalized, the Grizzlies will return to a full roster of 15 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals.

Stevens will have the opportunity to play up to five games before his 10-day contract expires. If he impresses, Memphis could offer him another 10-day contract, or potentially sign him for the remainder of the season.

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