The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their first casualty in the wake of the wait over the Dwight Howard decision.
Forward Earl Clark, who became a surprising key member of the Lakers 2012-13 season, has signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth $9 million, multiple media sites are reporting.
Clark was considered a throw-in as part of a four-team deal that brought Howard to the Lakers last season. As the Lakers suffered injuries to key players through the course of the season, Clark became a valuable member of the Los Angeles bench.
The former University of Louisville standout averaged 7.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for the Lakers. He played in 59 games with 36 starts in Los Angeles.
Clark was a first-round draft pick of the Phoenix Suns in 2009 and also had a one year-plus stint alongside Howard with the Orlando Magic. The 6-foot-10 Clark had not averaged more than 3.9 points per game prior to his larger role with the Lakers last season.
Los Angeles is still awaiting a decision from Howard, who played for the Lakers last season but became a free agent on July 1 and has five suitors bidding for his services, including the Lakers.
Lakers management really can't sort out its financial situation until it learns of Howard's decision, which could come as soon as Friday. Free agents cannot officially sign with any team until July 10.
The Cavaliers drafted forward Anthony Bennett out of UNLV with the first pick of the 2013 NBA draft. Bennett is expected to play power forward, which could open up a chance for Clark to earn a starting role at the small forward position.
Clark hit 33.7 percent of his 3-point attempts for L.A. last season, hitting 35-of-104 attempts. That was a new part of Clark's arsenal that may have appealed to the Cavaliers. He had shot 15 3-pointers in his previous three seasons combined.
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