Cavs sign ex-Laker Clark

Published 12:14 am Friday, July 5, 2013

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers have landed one of the Lakers’ front-line free agents. No, not that guy.

Cleveland has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with forward Earl Clark, who played alongside Dwight Howard last season in Los Angeles.

Clark, who spent two days visiting with the Cavs earlier this week, is getting a deal worth $9 million, said the person who spoke to the Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because NBA teams can’t officially sign players until the free agent period ends on July 10.

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The Sporting News first reported Clark’s deal.

The 6-foot-10 Clark set career-highs in scoring (7.3), rebounds (5.5) and minutes (23.1) in 36 starts last season. Before joining the Lakers, Clark played for Orlando and Phoenix.

With Tristan Thompson and No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Bennett playing power forward, the Cavs needed an experienced small forward and believe Clark can compete for that starting role.

Clark, 25, was drafted in the first round (No. 14 overall) by the Suns in 2009 after playing at Louisville.