Lakers Rumors: Team meets with free agent Ian Clark

Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: The Lakers have reportedly met with free agent guard Ian Clark.

Los Angeles Lakers rumors have picked up since the Las Vegas Summer League ended. The Lakers won the championship in Las Vegas, but their roster still has a few open roster spots, namely in the backcourt.

The Lakers have overhauled their point guard and shooting guard spots this offseason. Gone are last season’s starters D’Angelo Russell and Nick Young. Russell was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, while Young opted out of his contract and signed with the Golden State Warriors.

In their place, the Lakers have added UCLA star point guard Lonzo Ball, whom they selected No. 2 overall, and Kentavius Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal after the Pistons renounced his rights, making him an unrestricted free agent after beginning the offseason as a restricted one.

While some fans were unhappy to see players such as Russell and Young leave, the Lakers are probably in a better place in their backcourt. Ball looks the part of a potential star, while Caldwell-Pope is a great complement for him given his defense and three-point shooting.

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With Ball and Caldwell-Pope in the starting lineup, the Lakers can use Jordan Clarkson in the sixth man role. Clarkson fits the role as a combo-guard off the bench and should thrive as the sixth man.

With the top three guard spots filled, a majority of the playing time is already set. But, the Lakers are still in the market for a veteran point guard to help teach Ball how to play in the NBA.

The Lakers have had a number of people in for visits to fill that void. Rajon Rondo was garnering interest before he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. Last season’s backup point guard, Tyler Ennis, is still available and someone the Lakers have considered as well.

Most recently, the Lakers have also hosted free agent point guard Derrick Rose. Rose was in for a visit with the Lakers on Thursday, but he wasn’t alone.

According to Mark Medina of the Orange County Register, the Lakers also hosted free agent guard Ian Clark for a visit on Thursday.

The Lakers and Clark reportedly met for 45 minutes. Sources report that the Lakers have expressed interest in Clark for a while, but an offer was never made. Could that change now?

Right now, the Lakers only have their mid-level exception worth $4.3 million. That would represent a big upgrade in pay for Clark, who made just over $1 million last season and has earned $2,779,454 in his career. The $4.3 million would be a nice upgrade in pay and the Lakers have a role for him.

Clark would fill the mentor role Los Angeles is looking for. Clark is only 26 but brings a ton of experience with him. He has played in 32 playoff games already, averaging 11.7 minutes per game. He is capable of playing both spots in the backcourt; during the regular season he logs more minutes at shooting guard, but in the postseason he played more point guard.

Another interesting reason for signing Clark would be his familiarity with the head coach, Luke Walton. Both spent time together with the Warriors, so he knows what he wants to try and accomplish in Los Angeles.

Having someone that has experience playing with him would help make the transition a seamless one. His three-point shooting would also be welcomed, as Clark made 37.4 percent from deep last season and is a career 36.4 percent shooter.

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Clark would be a solid addition to the Lakers roster given his experience and skill set. He would provide invaluable information to Ball as a championship winning guard. There aren’t many players readily available like that to add to a roster, so the Lakers should take advantage of the situation and figure out a way to bring Clark aboard.