While it may not be the earth-shattering Woj bomb that many of us have come to expect, the Sixers made news yesterday afternoon by making a roster move. With their final available roster spot, the Sixers added 6’7 SF/PF Gary Clark with hopes to add to their bench depth.
Who is Gary Clark?
Clark is 26 years old and has played for the Rockets, Nuggets, and Magic in his young NBA career. He has played in 130 NBA games including 7 career playoff games. The three-year vet most recently was cut by the Denver Nuggets although he spent most of this season with the Orlando Magic.
The veteran plays a stretch-four type role who has a decent outside shot and active feet. He is slightly undersized and can also fit into a wing-type role. Clark has a career average of 31.1% on 2.7 three-point attempts per game but has shot it as well as 35% during the 2019-2020 season.
In college, Clark was a four-year starter at Cincinnati where he earned ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player honors. He was an impact player all four years and averaged as much as 12.9 points and 8.7 rebounds his senior year. He ultimately went undrafted in 2018 before signing with the Houston Rockets and has bounced around the league since.
What He Brings to the Sixers:
Best Case:
The Sixers are still in need of help at the backup power forward position. Mike Scott has failed to reach the production that was seen since he was first traded to the Sixers, and has been fairly disappointing since the contract extension. Anthony Tolliver also was signed to fill this role but has yet to crack the rotation and has played just 67 minutes this season. The other option at the position is Paul Reed who has an exciting skillset but is not polished enough for any playoff burn.
Despite his youth, Gary Clark adds playoff experience as he started five games with the Orlando Magic last season. He has an athletic build and has the potential to fill a role similar role to Mike Scott with shades of Paul Reed in his game. Clark has solid off-ball movement, good energy, and is an impressive cutter who could bring some competition for minutes off the bench.
Worst Case:
There was one remaining roster spot available to the Sixers following the recent waiving of Mason Jones. Iggy Brazdeikis was also given a shot in this spot but played just eight game minutes before being released. With one available spot, this is a no-risk high-reward move.
At the worst, Gary Clark is another body that can provide competition amongst the other forwards. The former G-League champ has an impressive amount of experience despite being just twenty-six years old.
Setting some realistic expectations for Gary Clark:
The Sixers are fairly set in their rotation and Doc Rivers has already talked about having too many players fit into the rotation.
It is unlikely that Clark will crack the rotation for the playoffs this season, but he could be a guy that the Sixers will be evaluating for next year. He agreed to a two-way deal but it is relevant to note that two-way players are eligible for playoff minutes. Competition is never a bad thing and this move now puts the Sixers’ roster at a full seventeen-man count. With one game remaining before the Sixers clinch the first seed, Clark may get an opportunity as Doc Rivers will look to rest his starters.
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