Hoops Habit
Fansided

2018 NBA free agency grades: Pelicans to re-sign Ian Clark

By Matthew Hallett

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 28: Ian Clark #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts druing the first half against the LA Clippers at the Smoothie King Center on January 28, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 28: Ian Clark #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts druing the first half against the LA Clippers at the Smoothie King Center on January 28, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to re-sign Ian Clark to a one-year deal.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Ian Clark have agreed to a one year deal, per Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports. Clark is a five-year pro out of Belmont University. He won a championship back in 2016-17 while with the Golden State Warriors. Clark then joined the Pelicans for the 2017-18 season.

Last season, Clark had a career year with career highs in almost all categories. He averaged 7.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19.7 minutes per game playing behind Rajon Rondo, E’Twaun Moore and Jrue Holiday in the guard rotation.

The Pelicans missed out on signing free agent DeMarcus Cousins, who has verbally agreed to a deal with the Warriors. They also did not re-sign Rondo, who is headed to the sunshine and bright lights that go with playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The fact that Cousins has not re-signed is not a bad thing; the Pelicans actually played better after his Achilles injury. They appeared more focused on offense and this led them to a surprise playoff berth and second round apperance.

However, losing Rondo may have a greater impact. His 8.2 assists per game were crucial to the Pelicans’ offense last season. This will be an area where Clark is going to have to step up next season.

What now for Clark and the New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans have covered Rondo’s departure by signing point guard Elfrid Payton. The young point guard has played for the Orlando Magic and the last season for the Phoenix Suns.

Moore is a serviceable 2-guard who can score in bunches. He is not a typical point guard and would hurt the Pelicans offense if he were to run the team for any length of time.

More from NBA Free Agency

Clark has had experience running high-paced offense teams. He backed up Stephen Curry for the Warriors with great success. Last season Clark was buried deep in the rotation for a short while after Rondo came back from injury.

This season, Clark needs to establish himself as the most reliable bench option so that this does not happen again. He needs to find a good shooting rhythm early on in the season and continue the momentum.

He will never displace Jrue Holiday from the starting lineup; the talent gap is just too big for that. If he can run the team when he is on the court, this will leave Holiday to play off-ball again, where he is dangerous. He does have a chance to outplay Payton for a starting role.

Clark also did not have a good time from 3-point territory last year. A career 34.6 percent shooter, he shot just 31.8 percent last season. If he can improve back to his career mark, he is going to space the floor for Anthony Davis to work in.

Overall, this is a solid re-signing for the Pelicans. Clark is a quality bench piece with the ability to step up as required.

Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

Grade: B

Home/New Orleans Pelicans