The Sixers now have a full 17 players ahead of the 2021 playoffs after signing 26-year-old Gary Clark to a two-way contract.
Clark has spent chunks of three seasons in the NBA, split between Houston (hello, Daryl) and Orlando. He has career averages of 3.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 14.2 minutes per game.
This signing will have little bearing on this season, as Clark is joining the team late in the season and will have little, if any opportunity to crack Doc Rivers’ rotation (or even his radar, frankly). This could, however, signal the Sixers’ desire to evaluate Clark ahead of next offseason, when he may pursue a full-time NBA deal.
Forward Gary Clark is signing a two-way deal with the 76ers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 11, 2021
Daryl Morey and the Sixers front office has likely made its last move ahead of the 2021 playoffs by signing Gary Clark, a versatile defender and floor-spacer.
The Sixers recently paved the way for the Clark signing by waiving Mason Jones, who did next to nothing on the court in Philadelphia. While Jones is younger and was a promising scorer in Arkansas, he has less NBA experience than Clark and the Sixers clearly did not like what he did off the court or in practice enough to keep him around. Apologies to my friend Lucas Johnson, who developed a real affection for Jones’ future, but Clark is clearly the better player and prospect.
In fact, Clark was among the most desirable names on the market once the buyout deadline passed. It was slightly surprising he lasted this long. I would have advocated for giving him a spot over Anthony Tolliver on the regular 15-man roster if it came to that. Getting him on a two-way deal is even sweeter.
Clark is a strong 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward who can defend multiple positions and do damage as a cutter and spot-up shooter. He made strong impressions in both Houston and Orlando, and while Philadelphia lacks immediate opportunity, angling for a real audition next season would be sensible. The Sixers need more frontcourt players who can space out to the 3-point line and do something, anything, of value.
This is yet another strong move from Morey and Co. at the helm. The Sixers haven’t made the biggest splashes yet with Morey in charge, but valuable work around the margins and the No. 1 seed in the East should leave fans in a jovial mood.