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Los Angeles Lakers rumors: Interested in Earl Clark, Emeka Okafor?

By Andrew Melnick

Jan 30, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Wizards center Emeka Okafor (50) celebrates scoring during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Wizards center Emeka Okafor (50) celebrates scoring during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are likely done in the offseason, but they could still do look to add a few minimum players. According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Lakers could take a flyer on Phoenix Suns’ free agent big man Emeka Okafor or New York Knicks’ free agent forward Earl Clark. Both players would be cheap and are probably worth taking a chance on. Plus, many in the Lakers’ organization are familiar with Clark.

Okafor missed the entire 2013-2014 season, but played in every game during 2012-2014 season, averaging 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 57.1% from the free throw line. Okafor, who was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats (Hornets) with the number two overall pick in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft (behind center Dwight Howard, who was selected by the Orlando Magic). He played for the Suns (well he’s never appeared in a game), Bobcats and New Orleans Hornets (Pelicans).

Clark started last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers before he was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Spencer Hawes. He was soon released and picked up by the Knicks. He averaged 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 37.5% from the field, 34.5% from beyond the arc and 58.3% from the charity stripe in 45 games with the Cavaliers. In nine games with the Knicks, he went for 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game and shot 33.3% from the floor, 16.7% from three and 80.0% from the free throw line. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 16th-overall pick in the 2009 draft and was dealt to the Orlando Magic in 2010. The Magic sent him to the Lakers in 2012 in the Dwight Howard trade and he spent one season there. He’s averaged 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 40.4% from the field, 33.1% from three and 67.1% from the field in his five-year NBA career.

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