Tarik Black Showing He's a Keeper for Los Angeles Lakers

Tarik Black has only been a member of the Los Angeles Lakers since Dec. 28, but he is already proving his worth.

The undrafted rookie out of the University of Kansas is averaging eight points and 5.7 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game since being picked up off waivers from the Houston Rockets. Houston let Black go in order to clear roster room to sign Josh Smith. 

The odd man out for the Lakers has been utility center Robert Sacre, who has not cracked the rotation in the last four games. 

Byron Scott says he’ll stick with the new arrival as long as he keeps delivering, per Serena Winters of Lakers Nation: “His minutes are probably going to continue to be in that 20 minute and up range.”

This is especially noteworthy considering the 23-year-old bruiser joined a roster already deep in frontcourt players.

In addition to supplanting Sacre, the newest Laker is also eating into starting center Jordan Hill’s minutes. Hill is averaging 25.8 minutes in January, compared to 32.3 in November. Black's role often entails being used in a big frontcourt in the second unit alongside Carlos Boozer at power forward, with stretch 4 Ryan Kelly shifting to small forward.

Hill seems to support his new competition, though, per Bill Oram of the Orange County Register:

Although they have very different body types, Black’s game is somewhat reminiscent of Hill’s not long ago, in that both provide energy and athleticism under the basket. However, Black already has a more disciplined style, while Hill’s newfound love for mid-range jumpers can sometimes sublimate his propensity for crashing the offensive boards.

For the record, the Lakers list Black at 6’11" and 257 pounds, but he measured at 6’8.5” with a 7’3” wingspan during a predraft workout for the Los Angeles Clippers. 

So far, the high mark of Black’s six games with the Lakers has been a 101-84 win against the Orlando Magic, when he posted 14 points, nine rebounds and a block in just 17 minutes. He was also incredibly efficient, with 4-of-4 shooting from the field and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe.

Upon his arrival, Black had a reputation as a low-post-energy, hustle player without much depth to his game. So far, though, he has shown a poise and court awareness that is a little surprising for a prospect who slid completely off the draft board last June.

"It’s great, it’s the purple and gold," he said following his breakout performance against Orlando, per a Lakers Nation video. "It’s amazing I’m even wearing a Lakers jersey. I grew up watching them win championship after championship after championship…now I have the opportunity to join their culture. It’s amazing."

As impressive as that game was, Black’s debut for the Lakers organization brought even higher numbers, albeit with the team’s minor league affiliate. On Jan. 3, he put up 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Los Angeles D-Fenders, while fellow Lakers rookie Jordan Clarkson had 35 points and 11 assists. Although Black was impressive, the Reno Bighorns still came away with a 174-169 victory. 

Black is a young prospect with a keen intellect and varied interests. As I wrote in December, the Memphis native was a trumpet-playing jazz aficionado in high school who graduated from the University of Memphis in three years. He then transferred to the University of Kansas for a graduate degree in African-American Studies.

And if that’s not sufficient evidence of a broad scope, the college basketball standout was also scouted by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who envisioned Black as a possible tight end for the team.

After going undrafted, Black played for the Houston Rockets in NBA Summer League action. He wound up making the regular-season roster, and he even started 12 of 25 games while filling in for an injured Dwight Howard. 

After the Rockets cut Black, coach Kevin McHale spoke of his value, pointing out a 15-rebound game during the preseason that got people’s attention. Per Andre Johnson of Memphisport.com:

"

Tarik did a great job for us. ... It was during the preseason. I told him, 'Tarik, you've got to go open people's eyes. You didn't get drafted.' But he came in and he had 15 rebounds in a game. ...

... People know who he is and he’s on people’s radar. He’s a great kid. I really loved coaching him. He’s a wonderful young man. We’re going to miss him. But sometimes, we make moves and things happen.

"

Howard was also sorry to see his teammate go.

“You know, Tarik is my guy,” said the All-Star center who spent one season with the Lakers, per Johnson. “I am going to miss him as a teammate. He worked hard every day in practice. He battled.”

The Rockets’ loss is the Lakers’ gain, especially during a crucial period of rebuilding when young, malleable and affordable assets are so essential. Black is on a two-year, non-guaranteed contract that will pay him $507,336 this season and $845,059 if he gets picked up for 2015-16. 

There’s no denying that L.A.’s 12-29 record so far this season is a disappointment. But despite adversity, the team has the opportunity to develop a young and athletic core for the future—both with current players and through the draft, trades and free agency.

The overflowing frontcourt will present a number of choices for management. Hill is currently earning a $9 million salary with a team option for next season. Meanwhile, Ed Davis has a player’s option for next season at $1.1 million, while veteran power forward Carlos Boozer will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

"

I expect a Woj Bomb re Jordan Hill in the next week or so.

— Dexter Fishmore (@dexterfishmore) January 17, 2015"

Also, Kelly is guaranteed for another year, while Julius Randle—the team’s No. 7 draft pick last June—will be returning to action next season after missing his rookie campaign with a broken leg.

And finally, there’s the backup center who hasn't played a lot lately. As Bleacher Report’s Howard Ruben recently wrote: “Sacre may very well be the best and easiest candidate to move before the NBA trading deadline February 19.”

And while the finer points of wheeling and dealing can be debated ad infinitum, players like Black, Kelly, Clarkson and Randle all present hope for a viable youth movement going forward.

Sometimes, it’s the unheralded, unexpected stories that cast a ray of light in a dismal season.

The Lakers acquired what everyone assumed would be a raw work in progress. As it turns out, the sturdy young paint warrior is leading the team in field-goal accuracy, at 67 percent.

Tarik Black is showing the Lakers he’s a keeper, and for a team that sorely needs continuity, that's a welcomed sight.