The Lakers lost another young player from last year's roster on Thursday, when, according to multiple reports, forward Earl Clark signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Clark's deal is for two years and $9 million, according to USA Today.
Clark played in 59 games for the Lakers in 2012-13, starting 36. He averaged 7.3 points and 5.5 rebounds, both career highs. In four seasons in the league, Clark has averaged 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Clark's playing time fell off toward the end of last season; after starting 31 of 35 games and averaging 28.6 minutes per game between Jan. 1 and March 15, he started just five of his final 15 games and averaged 21.6 minutes over that span. In the Lakers' four-game playoff run, Clark started one game and scored a total of just 14 points.
An unrestricted free agent this offseason, Clark's contract represents a healthy raise over last season's earnings. In his year with the Lakers, he made just $1.2 million. Even if the Lakers had wanted to keep him, they would not have been able to offer the salary to which Cleveland has reportedly inked him.
