2017 NBA free agency grades: New Orleans Pelicans land Ian Clark
The New Orleans Pelicans have made away with a solid steal this far into free agency, as it has been reported that they have agreed to a one-year deal with guard Ian Clark.
We’re long past the frenzy of free agency, but the New Orleans Pelicans have made a shrewd signing with one of the top free agents available Tuesday evening.
First reported by Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Pelicans have agreed to a one-year deal with unrestricted free agent Ian Clark. As Charania noted in his detailed report over the agreement, the deal will be worth the minimum at $1.6 million.
This puts a close to a long, strange trip in free agency for the Belmont product, who certainly drummed up plenty of interest from teams around the league in recent weeks.
Of course, that’s not without reason, as Clark has carved out a niche for himself in recent years thanks to his play with the Golden State Warriors. In 77 appearances with the Dubs last season, Clark averaged a career-high 6.8 points in 14.8 minutes per game on 48.7 percent shooting from the field and 37.4 percent shooting from three.
After his jump in production last year, Clark was one of numerous reserves for the Warriors to enter free agency and like many players in his position, he was hoping to cash in this offseason.
However, the writing was on the wall in regards to his future in the Bay Area once the Warriors elected to pursue other options rather than re-sign Clark, something he acknowledged publicly some time after the start of free agency.
Now by coming to the Big Easy, the addition of Clark addresses one of the Pelicans’ biggest weaknesses.
It was no secret that they were in desperate need of perimeter shooting and despite the improvements Rajon Rondo, the team’s most notable signing of the offseason, has shown as a three-point shooter in recent years, teams certainly don’t respect him in the way that would significantly move the needle.
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With Clark in the fold, the Pelicans add a surefire long range shooter, and although he’s more looked upon to play in an off-ball role, he is very capable of taking lead ball handling duties in small stretches.
No matter which way you spin it, Clark’s areas of expertise makes him a great fit for virtually any lineup Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry rolls out over the course of next season.
There’s also the postseason experience Clark brings, which is a point of emphasis for a Pelicans team itching to make their way back to the playoffs, as Scott Kushner of The Advocate pointed out not long after the agreement surfaced.
At this point in the offseason, bringing in a player of Clark’s capabilities is a coup for any team, much less the Pelicans. As for Clark, a one-year deal worth the minimum is certainly a harsh result of a free agency period he was hoping to strike it rich in.
Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far
However, he lands with a team that is very much in need of his services and depending on how well Clark can translate his production in his move to The Crescent City, he can return to free agency next summer looking to get a longer and more lucrative deal.
Grade: B+