Report: Earl Clark Is Going To China, Not Los Angeles

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It appeared to be a done deal. With the Los Angeles Lakers dropping like flies, they looked to fill the void with a familiar face in Earl Clark by signing him to a one-year contract. However, almost two weeks following the news that he was close to inking a deal with the Lakers, the 6-foot-10 forward found himself back in the D-League with no indication that a call-up was coming his way. And now, in a surprising turn of events, he appears to be heading to China in pursuit of a more lucrative contract.

In the Rio Grande Valley Vipers’ first four games of the season, Clark posted gaudy numbers of 28.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per contest. He was named the D-League Performer of the Month for his efforts and appeared to be ready for his second chance in the NBA. But according to The Monitor’s Dennis Silva, his agent jumped the gun on his call-up to the Lakers. After sitting out two games, under the belief that the Lakers were fine tuning the details of his newly minted contract, a frustrated Clark returned to Rio Grande Valley indefinitely to bide his time.

Although the Lakers were down to 11 healthy players in wake of the injuries to Xavier Henry, Julius Randle, Ryan Kelly and Steve Nash, 15 remained under contract. To sign Clark, they’d have to make a tough decision: waive someone (likely Henry, who suffered a season ending injury at the end of November), or wait for the NBA to grant them a hardship exception that would temporarily increase their roster to 16 players.

The Lakers chose the latter, which delayed the process even further. To make matters worse, they failed to use the exception before it expired on Sunday.

Although the exception gave them flexibility, the Lakers would’ve had to cut someone once Ryan Kelly returned to the lineup. That’s where it all fell apart for Clark. With Kelly expected to be back in three or four weeks, general manger Mitch Kupchak opted to stick with his guns instead of adding someone else to the roster.

"“We would have to find a better player than who is on our roster now since you have to cut somebody. I’m not sure those players exist as free agents” — Mitch Kupchak Mitch Kupchak keeping options open on disabled players exceptions | Los Angeles Daily News"

Clark wasn’t expecting to spend much time in Rio Grande Valley. When he joined the team before the season kicked off, he was hoping to follow in the footsteps of James Johnson, who used a short stint with the Vipers as a springboard to get back into the NBA. His goal was to prove that being a tweener was no longer a detriment in today’s position-less league. It was about finding a fit on the right team with the right coach.

Clark is familiar with the Lakers, and they are familiar with him. Given their place in the standings — their 6-and-16 record is second-to-last in the Western Conference — and need for floor spacers, it appeared to be the best place to prove himself. Yet with negotiations breaking down and a more lucrative offer awaiting him in China, his NBA dream will be put on hold for the immediate future.

There is a chance that Clark returns to the NBA before the playoffs with the Chinese Basketball Association season ending in the spring. If he performs well with the Shandong Lions, perhaps the Lakers, or another team, will give him the second chance he’s looking for.