With all the movements of some of the league's stars this summer via trade or free agency signings, it gives fans more reason to be excited about next season. However, there are also some low-key moves that teams made based on fit, and how it can make their core players be more effective on the court, which can also be as important as those of big name free agents.
One of those is the signing of Ian Clark to the New Orleans Pelicans, as the team sees him as a perfect compliment to their formidable frontcourt tandem of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Pelicans director of player personnel David Booth recently discussed what he thinks the 26-year-old Belmont product can bring to their table, via Jim Eichenhofer of NBA.com. He said that his ability to shoot from the perimeter will help stretch the floor and give their other players more room to operate inside the paint.
“Playing the role he had with Golden State, where he came in and stretched the floor and knocked down shots, was something that really intrigued us,” Booth said. “When you’ve got guys like Jrue Holiday, Anthony, DeMarcus (Cousins) and Rajon, we needed floor-spacers. Ian’s ability to make shots is something that was really needed for roster balance. We thought he’d be a good fit with his shooting, especially when he’s on the floor with AD and DeMarcus. He’s a guy the defense has to respect beyond the arc.”
“We probably have the best four and the best five in the NBA, but to utilize them as much as you would want, you have to make the defense stay honest, so they’re not doubling and sinking in on (Davis and Cousins). You don’t want a weak link on the floor, where it makes it tough on those two guys to always see a help defender. With Ian on the floor, that defender’s going to have to play him honestly. If not, he’s going to make him pay by knocking down shots.”
Clark is a four-year NBA veteran and has spent the last two seasons with the Warriors, helping them win their second championship in three years last June. He is coming off his best campaign as a pro, where he averaged 6.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 14.8 minutes per game, serving as a key fixture in his former team's rotation.
He is expected to play a bigger role now that he is with the Pelicans, and receive more playing time. If he can continue his strong play this coming season and knock down shots consistently, he could be their missing piece, as they look to make a return trip to the playoffs and surprise many if they can beat some of the contenders in the tough Western Conference.
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