HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Lakers have three unrestricted free agents in Earl Clark, Antawn Jamison and Howard. The team can also make Darius Morris, Robert Sacre, Andrew Goudelock and Devin Ebanks restricted free agents in July. Ebanks isn't likely to get a qualifying offer from the team, which would make him unrestricted. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Devin Ebanks, Antawn Jamison, Earl Clark, Darius Morris, Andrew Goudelock, Robert Sacre 

Mike Trudell: Earl Clark said that Kupchak told him many teams would be interested in him; Clark hopes he remains a Laker, but we'll see. Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Earl Clark 

Mark Medina: Earl Clark told me he wants to come back to Lakers even if they can only offer less money, fewer years compared to other possible teams Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Earl Clark 

Mike Trudell: Earl Clark will start in MWP's place, joining Gasol, Howard, Goudelock and Morris. #Murphy'sLawInjurySeason Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Injuries, Earl Clark 

BDA Sports has signed Los Angeles Lakers forward Earl Clark. BDA NBA player agent Kevin Bradbury will represent him. Clark was formerly represented by Relativity Sports. It is not clear why he switched agents, but BDA represents three of Clark’s teammates on the Lakers — guard Steve Nash, forward/center Jordan Hill and guard Chris Duhon. Sports Business Daily

Los Angeles Lakers, Agents, Earl Clark, Bill Duffy 

With his plan to play Gasol and Dwight Howard 16 to 20 minutes together on the floor, D'Antoni said he still plans to feature Clark heavily in the rotation. "I think I deserve that," Clark said. "I've played well, helped the team win when nobody was playing and everybody was hurt. "I just want a chance to play this game and show people I can play." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Earl Clark 

Alex Kennedy: Earl Clark: "My teammates have been great. I’ll tell my kids one day that I played with four Hall of Famers and had a great time doing it." Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Los Angeles Lakers, Earl Clark 

Clark, in short, is keeping the game simple and playing to his strengths. And he's making nearly half of the 3s he does take because he doesn't go hunting for them, wisely choosing to let them fly only when his feet are set. It's an approach that makes Clark, in his fourth season, one very rare source of feel-good for a team that has been churning out seemingly endless amounts of Shaq-and-Kobe-level drama, going all the way back to that 0-8 record in the exhibition season. Surely you heard how TNT's Charles Barkley downgraded the Lakers' chances of rallying into a playoff spot from zero percent to "negative 17" percent in the wake of Gasol's foot injury and looming six-to-eight week absence as a result. If Chuck is right, no one will be blaming Clark. After coming over with Howard from Orlando for the purposes of satisfying the salary-cap math in the four-team Dwight blockbuster last August, Clark averaged only 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in his first 19 appearances in the Lakers' lineup. In the Lakers' recent 6-1 surge before Thursday night's splat in Boston, by contrast, Clark averaged 12.4 points and 8.9 rebounds, ringing up four double-doubles. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Earl Clark 

Sure, Dwight Howard will get paid too, but Earl Clark has gone from a career washout to a gradual climber up the NBA's free-agent list in July. "Obviously, not playing earlier and averaging those [low] numbers, I didn't know where I would end up," Clark said. "Playing good now and with other teams wanting you, you can pick your own destiny. It feels good to be in the driver's seat." He's quick to add that his first choice is the Lakers, who can sign the unrestricted free agent even though they are already well over the salary cap next season. "This is my first team that gave me an opportunity. I love the guys here," Clark said. "The organization and the style of play fits me. I really want to stay here." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Earl Clark 

"It feels good that the opportunity's there when it becomes free-agent time, and I'll deal with that when it comes," Clark said. "It feels good just to go out and show people I do belong here. I've been waiting for so long since I've been in the NBA." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Earl Clark 

With his breakout season, Lakers forward Earl Clark faces an unexpected reality. Once he becomes an unrestricted free agent in July, he'll likely have some interest. What does he think about his future? "It's not like I'm this big free agent where I'll be at SportsCenter and people are asking me where I'm going," said Clark, who's making $1.2 million this season. "I'm focusing on the game and trying to continue to play well." Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Earl Clark 

Dave McMenamin: Earl Clark on Rick Pitino's all-white suits (assets.sbnation.com/assets/77626/p…): "It was like he'd be all swagged out w/ The Godfather theme music on" Twitter @mcten

Los Angeles Lakers, Earl Clark, Rick Pitino 

Everywhere he turns, Earl Clark suddenly finds people interested in him. Former high school and college teammates have suddenly flooded his cell phone with calls. A pack of reporters frequently surrounds him. The Staples Center crowd continues to cheer for him. Clark's assistant coaches have built-in excuses to tease him. "Earl, when you go out," Lakers assistant coach Eddie Jordan said, "Can I hang out with you one night?" Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Earl Clark, Eddie Jordan 

"They call me Eazy," Clark said. "A few of you guys were calling me the `Earl Sanity' thing. I don't really like that." Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Earl Clark 

Kevin Ding: Asked if he was surprised by Earl Clark, D'Antoni said: "Or I'm an idiot for not playing him." Twitter @KevinDing

Los Angeles Lakers, Earl Clark 

Devin Ebanks: I'm happy for my bro Earl Clark ppl dnt kno how much he works on his game everyday, and today he got a REAL chance to show is talent. Twitter @DevinEbanks3

Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Ebanks, Earl Clark 

Madelyn Burke: #Lakers will hold out Kobe Bryant (foot) Dwight Howard (rest) and Earl Clark (groin) tonight against the #Clippers Twitter @MadelynBurke

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Injuries, Earl Clark 

Backup forward/center Earl Clark suffered a strained groin and will be sidelined indefinitely, the Lakers announced. Clark, one of a handful of players trying to win a seat on the Lakers' bench this season, has played limited minutes in three exhibitions so far. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Injuries, Earl Clark 

Mike Trudell: LAL reserve forward Earl Clark (came over in Howard trade) has a strained left groin and is out indefinitely. Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Injuries, Earl Clark 

The Magic were key players in a blockbuster, four-team trade on Friday when they dealt Howard and reserves Chris Duhon and Earl Clark to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Magic also sent Jason Richardson to the Philadelphia 76ers and in return will receive Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and rookie Moe Harkless, three first-round picks and two second-round selections. The Magic will receive protected first-round picks from Denver (or New York) in 2014, Philadelphia in ‘15 and Los Angeles in ‘17. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Trade, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon, Al Harrington, Christian Eyenga, Earl Clark, Josh McRoberts, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless