Earl Clark Spurns Los Angeles Lakers To Play In China
By Bryan Rose
Earl Clark, who was expected to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers has changed his mind and will now play basketball in China.
More from Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- Bronny James collapses at practice, taken to ICU with cardiac arrest
- NBA Rumors: Lakers nearing another savvy minimum signing
- Lakers projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
Are things so bad in Hollywood right now than borderline NBA players are ditching the Los Angeles Lakers to play in China?
It certainly seems that way as yet another target of the Lakers has decided to leave a potential contract on the table and is expected to sign with a Chinese team in the near future.
That man is forward Earl Clark, who just a matter of days ago was said to be working on a deal with the Lakers front office which would bring him of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers roster of the NBA Development League.
Clark, who played 36 games for the Lakers last season, was expected to be signed with some of the exception money granted to the franchise over the Steve Nash/Julius Randle injuries. However, it appears somebody had a change of heart as Clark appears destined to sign abroad.
Some @nbadleague chatter: I'm told Lakers target Earl Clark of Rio Grande Valley is now closing in on a lucrative deal in China instead
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 9, 2014
The assumption here is that the decision was on Earl Clark to backout of a prospective deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, presumably because the value of his China contract will well exceed the minimum level deal he would have been given by the Lakers.
It’s hard to begrudge him for such, though it’s also difficult to leave a prime opportunity on the table. Considering the Lakers recent struggles and the fact their frontcourt is decimated, there was a strong possibility Clark could have seen extended minutes with the Lakers.
John Lucas was said to have had discussions with the Lakers this past offseason but also decided his best option was to play abroad.
More from FanSided
- NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers sets Jets up for Super Bowl run with new contract
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return