Lamar Stevens is latest Memphis Grizzlies player to make case for roster spot next season

Memphis Grizzlies forward Lamar Stevens didn't look rusty when he took the floor Monday night against the Denver Nuggets. Despite missing the past six games due to a left adductor strain, the 6-foot-6 forward scored 19 points.

The Grizzlies didn't have much success as a team in the 128-103 loss at Ball Arena, but the individual performances of key players vying for roster spots beyond this season remain important.

Lamar Stevens' strong start in Memphis

Stevens, 26, was off to a strong start in Memphis after joining the team right before the trade deadline. He mostly played out of position as a center due to depth issues, but he has held his own. His first stretch of games with the Grizzlies included matchups against former Milwaukee Bucks MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and New Orleans All-Star Zion Williamson. Throw in Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, and Stevens has guarded three of the league's most physical players while playing out of position.

His defense was promising, and there was also an offensive boost. Stevens averaged 11.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in 12 games with the Grizzlies entering Monday.

As encouraging as that stretch was, there was still reason for hesitation regarding Stevens' long-term status on the Grizzlies roster. He's a free agent at the end of the season and occupies the only roster spot that is guaranteed to open up for Memphis. Yuta Watanabe has a player option at the end of the season, Luke Kennard has a team option and Derrick Rose is on a veteran's minimum deal for one more season. The Grizzlies have the ability to create more space, but considering that Stevens has the one spot that will open up this summer for certain, his chances of staying in Memphis have felt slim.

When the Celtics traded Stevens to Memphis for Xavier Tillman Sr., there were questions if the Grizzlies would even keep him through the deadline. But he has played his way into a significant role. He gives the team value as a combo forward who can score and guard multiple positions. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins often has highlighted Steven's physicality.

Stevens shows forward potential

Even with Stevens' success, not much of it has come at his natural forward spots. As the Grizzlies started to add frontcourt pieces in recent weeks, he was allowed to go back to more of his natural position. Monday's game against the Nuggets was a solid example of how he can make an impact. He shot 6-for-10 from the field and made all seven of his free-throw attempts.

When playing at forward, Stevens spends more time on the perimeter. Even though that was the case against Denver, he didn't settle for uncomfortable looks and he got to his favorite spots in the midrange.

Most of the damage he did came in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach and Denver sat its starters, so the Grizzlies shouldn't take too much from this performance. However, Monday was the type of game that could help Stevens be back in a Grizzlies uniform.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Lamar Stevens making case to return with Memphis Grizzlies next season