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NBA Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers Should Bring Back Earl Clark

By

Pat Lovell - USA TODAY Sports

Pat Lovell – USA TODAY Sports

Two years ago, Earl Clark had perhaps the best season of his NBA career filling in as a nice role player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a decent fit for coach Mike D’Antoni’s offense but chose to use his solid year to get a bigger deal elsewhere. He has not been able to produce the same results since leaving and now finds himself struggling to find a spot in the league. However, he has the opportunity to get a second chance with the Lakers, and both sides would benefit from a deal.

The Lakers are already suffering from injuries, with Steve Nash, Julius Randle and Xavier Henry out for the season. Ryan Kelly has been unable to stay healthy, and Carlos Boozer has missed some time as well. There are not many players out there who can help, and it’s unlikely that the team will be able to find a high-impact player. However, they do need to find some depth, and a player like Clark is the type of guy they need.

Clark is an athletic big man who can play a variety of positions and offers a versatile skill set. He is an okay shooter and is above-average at finishing at the rim. His length and athleticism gives him an advantage on defense and allows him to cover multiple positions. He is not necessarily a defensive stopper, but he’s more than adequate and would be an upgrade for the team’s atrocious defense.

Signing Clark to the veteran’s minimum would not hurt the Lakers’ financial situation, especially since they now have more money thanks to multiple disabled player exceptions. The team has looked lifeless at times, and Clark is a hard-working player who plays with good energy. He knows what it is like to play in Los Angeles and will give the team more flexibility with their lineups. He won’t be the savior to turn their season around, but he can help them get better.

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