The New York Knicks are finalizing an agreement with Small Forward Earl Clark, sources are reporting.

Clark, the 14th pick in the 2009 NBA draft, has shown that he has potential through his solid performance during limited minutes in his first few seasons. Last year, Clark cracked the Lakers’ starting lineup for part of the season and was quite good. If you look at Clark’s career “Per-36” stats to examine what his numbers would look like if he got a starter’s minutes, he has per-game (36)  averages of 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal. Clark is a decent defender, and his athleticism and versatility ultimately make him a plus on the defensive end.

Clark is only 26 years old, so, while the Knicks will not have his Bird Rights at the end of the season, it seems like a smart move to give him a look down the stretch and see what he can bring to the table. If this move works out, the Knicks could try to take the steps necessary to lock him up for a few more years at season’s end.

-Tommy Rothman