Dwight Howard Trade: Why Earl Clark and Chris Duhon Are Keys to Deal for Lakers

In addition to Dwight Howard, the Los Angeles Lakers will receive Earl Clark and Chris Duhon from the Orlando Magic.

Howard, who many believe may be the quintessential missing piece for the Lakers to add more championships to the rafters in Staples Center, wasn’t the only thing gained in this blockbuster summer deal.

Both Duhon and Clark bring experience and dependability for a very thin Lakers roster.

Sure, Kobe Bryant is one of the best two-guards in the NBA, possibly the best ever at his position—that’s a different debate for a different day. But who is there behind him? As Bryant ages, depth is going to become more and more important for the Lake Show.

Then there is 38-year-old Steve Nash. Nash’s minutes decreased significantly in 2011, and relying on Steve Blake to fill the void wasn’t very reassuring for the Lakers brass. There’s where Duhon comes in.

He may not be the best true point-guard, but he can provide a spark because of his pinpoint perimeter accuracy and never-ending hustle. Duhon’s numbers weren’t great in limited action in Orlando, but he did connect on a career high 42 percent from beyond the arc in 2011.

He’ll be someone opposing defenses have to account for while the new twin towers, Pau Gasol and Howard, are wreaking havoc in the paint.

Clark is a bit more of an unknown commodity. In his four NBA seasons he’s never been given a true workload to judge his talent. However, there may be good reason for that. From the looks of things, his career 3.1 PPG on 36 percent shooting does not jump off the page and scream diamond in the rough.

With more minutes, Clark could provide an adequate rotational piece for the Lakers, who have little behind Pau Gasol. He’s good for about 10 minutes, three points and 2 rebounds per game and won’t be asked to do very much else.

If the Lakers decide to hang onto both Duhon and Clark instead of dumping them and their salaries, which aren’t very much (about $4.5 million total), then they have definitely added some solid depth in the process of obtaining one of the biggest superstars in the NBA.

Dwight Howard is stealing the headlines, but it’s the under-the-radar additions like Clark and Duhon that will help the Lakers immensely down the stretch. That’s especially true if they have any plans of unseating the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West and the Miami Heat in the Finals.

From the looks of this trade, the Lakers have nothing but that on their mind.

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