NBA Free Agency Rumors: Lakers have ‘shown interest’ in Ian Clark

The Los Angeles Lakers have “shown interest” in free agent Ian Clark, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Turner reports that no deal with the Golden State Warriors guard is “imminent,” however.

Clark is 25 years old and only has four years of NBA experience, so he may not fit the profile of the “veteran” guard the Lakers are looking for, but the quality of his experience may be more valuable than a player like Derrick Rose, who technically has more experience in the NBA. The Lakers reportedly met with Rose Thursday.

Clark played under Lakers head coach Luke Walton in Golden State, and thus has experience with him and the actions he’s trying to run, making him a more plug-and-play ready option than other guards on the market.

Clark averaged career-highs in points (6.8), minutes (14.8), assists (1.2) and effective field-goal percentage (55.8 percent), and his talent and age also make him a slightly more high-upside option than other available free agents.

With nothing “imminent,” however, this “interest” could just be the Lakers touching base with Clark to keep all of their options open.

The Lakers have 13 players signed right now, leaving them with two open roster spots to sign player to NBA deals. The Lakers could offer Clark or another player the room exception (worth $4.3 million) or a veteran’s minimum deal.

All stats per NBA.com. and Basketball-Reference.com. Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.