The Official Jaylen Clark Thread

[winforlose]

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I already love this kid. He says he studies opponent games to be prepared when he plays against them. The moment Jaylen blows up first opponent play in NBA I will be happiest man on the world!

Now two serious questions:

1) what if one team, say CLE wants to offer Clark an NBA standard deal. Is Clark in this situation a RFA? Or UFA?

2) in mentioned before news Okogie got contract 8 mil, I wonder if Clark is already a better defender

1. He is already under contract with us and cannot become a player for another roster this year. This isn’t like a practice squad in the NFL, we cannot sign other teams two ways, they cannot sign ours. Next year he is an RFA and we are not allowed to sign him to another two way.

2. Clark is untested in the NBA. He is 3 years younger than JO. JO has 3 inches longer wingspan. JO played in the league 4 years with us, and 2 years with the Suns, compared to Clark who has played 2 summer league games. Finally, JO had no major injuries, Clark missed a year with an Achilles. Ultimately I think the odds of a team stealing him are low. I also think if he shows offensive capabilities we might trade Dozier and sign him to a standard contract. We might even convert him before the season starts if shows the offense early enough.

[minimus]

Now two serious questions:

1) what if one team, say CLE wants to offer Clark an NBA standard deal. Is Clark in this situation a RFA? Or UFA?

2) in mentioned before news Okogie got contract 8 mil, I wonder if Clark is already a better defender

1. He is already under contract with us and cannot become a player for another roster this year. This isn’t like a practice squad in the NFL, we cannot sign other teams two ways, they cannot sign ours. Next year he is an RFA and we are not allowed to sign him to another two way.

Thank you! Cant stop thinking how much I appreciate Connelly

2. Clark is untested in the NBA. He is 3 years younger than JO. JO has 3 inches longer wingspan. JO played in the league 4 years with us, and 2 years with the Suns, compared to Clark who has played 2 summer league games. Finally, JO had no major injuries, Clark missed a year with an Achilles. Ultimately I think the odds of a team stealing him are low. I also think if he shows offensive capabilities we might trade Dozier and sign him to a standard contract. We might even convert him before the season starts if shows the offense early enough.

Yeah, I remember Ryan Saunders describing Okogie ability to defend PF as "effective height". But I believe that Okogie and Clark are different type of defenders. I remember JO blocking James Harden stepback shots, and it might be his best defensive highlight. While Clark is also an elite PoA defender, I am really impressed by his ability to blow up opponent team play by READING it before it happens. Okogie in this roamer role is relying more on his instincts and athletic tools, but Clark has a different approach, he studies the game.

As for 3pt shot, I cant imaging more inconsistent shooter than Okogie. He simply lacks touch.

P.S. As for wingspan. JO and Clark have almost identical standing reach: 8'6'' vs 8'5.50'', I would not say that JO has superior athletic skills, but I believe is that defensive awareness might be biggest difference.

[minimus]

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/uZteD1BifR

So TC drafted Ausar caliber defender with better 3pt shot at 53rd pick?!

[BlacJacMac]

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/uZteD1BifR

So TC drafted Ausar caliber defender with better 3pt shot at 53rd pick?!

Kind of?

Auser is bigger, longer and much more athletic. So he probably has a lot more defensive versatility. And he's a tremendous rebounder.

Neither guy can shoot the 3. Thompson is pretty solid inside of 16', but he also struggles at the line. He's going to likely have to be hidden some on offense as well.

The comparison may say more about Ausar than Clark...

[KGdaBom]

Watch on YouTube

I already love this kid. He says he studies opponent games to be prepared when he plays against them. The moment Jaylen blows up first opponent play in NBA I will be happiest man on the world!

Now two serious questions:

1) what if one team, say CLE wants to offer Clark an NBA standard deal. Is Clark in this situation a RFA? Or UFA?

2) in mentioned before news Okogie got contract 8 mil, I wonder if Clark is already a better defender

1. He is already under contract with us and cannot become a player for another roster this year. This isn’t like a practice squad in the NFL, we cannot sign other teams two ways, they cannot sign ours. Next year he is an RFA and we are not allowed to sign him to another two way.

2. Clark is untested in the NBA. He is 3 years younger than JO. JO has 3 inches longer wingspan. JO played in the league 4 years with us, and 2 years with the Suns, compared to Clark who has played 2 summer league games. Finally, JO had no major injuries, Clark missed a year with an Achilles. Ultimately I think the odds of a team stealing him are low. I also think if he shows offensive capabilities we might trade Dozier and sign him to a standard contract. We might even convert him before the season starts if shows the offense early enough.

Good stuff W4L.

[minimus]

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/uZteD1BifR

So TC drafted Ausar caliber defender with better 3pt shot at 53rd pick?!

Kind of?

Auser is bigger, longer and much more athletic. So he probably has a lot more defensive versatility. And he's a tremendous rebounder.

Neither guy can shoot the 3. Thompson is pretty solid inside of 16', but he also struggles at the line. He's going to likely have to be hidden some on offense as well.

The comparison may say more about Ausar than Clark...

I completely agree. But just want to clarify: did Clark ariball any three point shot in SL league? I mean from what I remember his shots were pretty close, at least from corners.

[minimus]

I've just read that Clark was good offensive rebounder in students (7.4 OReb%, 1.9 per game)

[minimus]

Read on Twitter

Has Clarke bulked up? Can he play SF?

[BlacJacMac]

Read on Twitter

Has Clarke bulked up? Can he play SF?

Maybe? He's always been strong. His game is definitely more Wing than Guard.

But he's still just 6'4 (with a 6'9 wingspan).

[minimus]

Read on Twitter

Has Clark bulked up? Can he play SF?

Maybe? He's always been strong. His game is definitely more Wing than Guard.

But he's still just 6'4 (with a 6'9 wingspan).

Yeah, he doesn't have elite length like NAW and McDaniels, but my question is more about strength because both McDaniels and NAW were bulldozed from time to time. My hope is that Clark can offer different type of defender, an additional resource in defense, when Finch wants to change the way our players defend.

[BlacJacMac]

Read on Twitter

Has Clark bulked up? Can he play SF?

Maybe? He's always been strong. His game is definitely more Wing than Guard.

But he's still just 6'4 (with a 6'9 wingspan).

Yeah, he doesn't have elite length like NAW and McDaniels, but my question is more about strength because both McDaniels and NAW were bulldozed from time to time. My hope is that Clark can offer different type of defender, an additional resource in defense, when Finch wants to change the way our players defend.

He's basically the same size as TSJ. Shannon is .75" taller, with .25" less wingspan. Both guys are very strong.

So I'd be more inclined to play TSJ over Clark.

[wolves_89]

Maybe? He's always been strong. His game is definitely more Wing than Guard.

But he's still just 6'4 (with a 6'9 wingspan).

Yeah, he doesn't have elite length like NAW and McDaniels, but my question is more about strength because both McDaniels and NAW were bulldozed from time to time. My hope is that Clark can offer different type of defender, an additional resource in defense, when Finch wants to change the way our players defend.

He's basically the same size as TSJ. Shannon is .75" taller, with .25" less wingspan. Both guys are very strong.

So I'd be more inclined to play TSJ over Clark.

Shannon measured 1.75" taller without shoes (at the draft combine Clark measured 6'4" and Shannon 6'5.75"). I think Shannon has a decent chance of getting rotation minutes this season, while Clark is at best an extreme emergency option. I'm not sure there is a real comparison between the two at this point since Shannon's offensive game is light years ahead of Clark.

[minimus]

Maybe? He's always been strong. His game is definitely more Wing than Guard.

But he's still just 6'4 (with a 6'9 wingspan).

Yeah, he doesn't have elite length like NAW and McDaniels, but my question is more about strength because both McDaniels and NAW were bulldozed from time to time. My hope is that Clark can offer different type of defender, an additional resource in defense, when Finch wants to change the way our players defend.

He's basically the same size as TSJ. Shannon is .75" taller, with .25" less wingspan. Both guys are very strong.

So I'd be more inclined to play TSJ over Clark.

Sure, TSJ is higher than Clark in pecking order. But if Clark can hit those open threes AND defend big guards and wings then we finally will have enough depth at wings: McDaniels, TSJ, Clark. IMO Ingles is closer to stretch four at this point of his career, and last year Finch workarounded lack of depth at wings by playing Reid, Towns as wings (for instance, our three big lineup with Gobert-Towns-Reid), and/or two guard lineups (for instance, when two of Conley-Morris-McLaughlin were on the floor), plus Anderson minutes where played as big (for instance, DHO, split actions, off ball screens) or as backup PG, but failed to played as wing (stretch the floor, fill corners in transition etc)

I saw discussion about lack of depth at C position, but you can play even with one real big as long as you have enough quality wings.

[BlacJacMac]

Yeah, he doesn't have elite length like NAW and McDaniels, but my question is more about strength because both McDaniels and NAW were bulldozed from time to time. My hope is that Clark can offer different type of defender, an additional resource in defense, when Finch wants to change the way our players defend.

He's basically the same size as TSJ. Shannon is .75" taller, with .25" less wingspan. Both guys are very strong.

So I'd be more inclined to play TSJ over Clark.

Sure, TSJ is higher than Clark in pecking order. But if Clark can hit those open threes AND defend big guards and wings then we finally will have enough depth at wings: McDaniels, TSJ, Clark. IMO Ingles is closer to stretch four at this point of his career, and last year Finch workarounded lack of depth at wings by playing Reid, Towns as wings (for instance, our three big lineup with Gobert-Towns-Reid), and/or two guard lineups (for instance, when two of Conley-Morris-McLaughlin were on the floor), plus Anderson minutes where played as big (for instance, DHO, split actions, off ball screens) or as backup PG, but failed to played as wing (stretch the floor, fill corners in transition etc)

I saw discussion about lack of depth at C position, but you can play even with one real big as long as you have enough quality wings.

I don't see where he gets minutes. He's going to be behind, Ant, McDaniels and NAW for sure. Likely behind TSJ. Naz to some extent as well. At best he's what? Our 5th wing?

I think he spends the whole year in Iowa.

[frankenwolf]

He's basically the same size as TSJ. Shannon is .75" taller, with .25" less wingspan. Both guys are very strong.

So I'd be more inclined to play TSJ over Clark.

Sure, TSJ is higher than Clark in pecking order. But if Clark can hit those open threes AND defend big guards and wings then we finally will have enough depth at wings: McDaniels, TSJ, Clark. IMO Ingles is closer to stretch four at this point of his career, and last year Finch workarounded lack of depth at wings by playing Reid, Towns as wings (for instance, our three big lineup with Gobert-Towns-Reid), and/or two guard lineups (for instance, when two of Conley-Morris-McLaughlin were on the floor), plus Anderson minutes where played as big (for instance, DHO, split actions, off ball screens) or as backup PG, but failed to played as wing (stretch the floor, fill corners in transition etc)

I saw discussion about lack of depth at C position, but you can play even with one real big as long as you have enough quality wings.

I don't see where he gets minutes. He's going to be behind, Ant, McDaniels and NAW for sure. Likely behind TSJ. Naz to some extent as well. At best he's what? Our 5th wing?

I think he spends the whole year in Iowa.

I think not all year, but will be there quite a bit.

[minimus]

He's basically the same size as TSJ. Shannon is .75" taller, with .25" less wingspan. Both guys are very strong.

So I'd be more inclined to play TSJ over Clark.

Sure, TSJ is higher than Clark in pecking order. But if Clark can hit those open threes AND defend big guards and wings then we finally will have enough depth at wings: McDaniels, TSJ, Clark. IMO Ingles is closer to stretch four at this point of his career, and last year Finch workarounded lack of depth at wings by playing Reid, Towns as wings (for instance, our three big lineup with Gobert-Towns-Reid), and/or two guard lineups (for instance, when two of Conley-Morris-McLaughlin were on the floor), plus Anderson minutes where played as big (for instance, DHO, split actions, off ball screens) or as backup PG, but failed to played as wing (stretch the floor, fill corners in transition etc)

I saw discussion about lack of depth at C position, but you can play even with one real big as long as you have enough quality wings.

I don't see where he gets minutes. He's going to be behind, Ant, McDaniels and NAW for sure. Likely behind TSJ. Naz to some extent as well. At best he's what? Our 5th wing?

I think he spends the whole year in Iowa.

I think there might more opportunities for him, let me explain:

- McDaniels often gets in foul trouble
- NAW is wildly inconsistent, and might lacks size against some big guards and wings
- Ingles is old

When Finch said a year ago, that MIN were going to "stay big" despite possible mismatch issues, it was assumed as something mostly about our frontcourt Gobert-Towns-Reid. And then we saw some weird combinations of two small guards, when Finch wanted to push tempo. However, with addition of TSJ and Clark I can see how MIN can stay big on wings, push tempo and still play two of Gobert-Towns-Reid trio. I also expect Gobert, Towns and Conley to miss games because of load management. TSJ and Clark might get some minutes in such games.

P.S. Once again, Jaylen must be able to hit open threes in order to get minutes.

[winforlose]

Sure, TSJ is higher than Clark in pecking order. But if Clark can hit those open threes AND defend big guards and wings then we finally will have enough depth at wings: McDaniels, TSJ, Clark. IMO Ingles is closer to stretch four at this point of his career, and last year Finch workarounded lack of depth at wings by playing Reid, Towns as wings (for instance, our three big lineup with Gobert-Towns-Reid), and/or two guard lineups (for instance, when two of Conley-Morris-McLaughlin were on the floor), plus Anderson minutes where played as big (for instance, DHO, split actions, off ball screens) or as backup PG, but failed to played as wing (stretch the floor, fill corners in transition etc)

I saw discussion about lack of depth at C position, but you can play even with one real big as long as you have enough quality wings.

I don't see where he gets minutes. He's going to be behind, Ant, McDaniels and NAW for sure. Likely behind TSJ. Naz to some extent as well. At best he's what? Our 5th wing?

I think he spends the whole year in Iowa.

I think there might more opportunities for him, let me explain:

- McDaniels often gets in foul trouble
- NAW is wildly inconsistent, and might lacks size against some big guards and wings
- Ingles is old

When Finch said a year ago, that MIN were going to "stay big" despite possible mismatch issues, it was assumed as something mostly about our frontcourt Gobert-Towns-Reid. And then we saw some weird combinations of two small guards, when Finch wanted to push tempo. However, with addition of TSJ and Clark I can see how MIN can stay big on wings, push tempo and still play two of Gobert-Towns-Reid trio. I also expect Gobert, Towns and Conley to miss games because of load management. TSJ and Clark might get some minutes in such games.

P.S. Once again, Jaylen must be able to hit open threes in order to get minutes.

Jingles will expect minutes at the beginning of the season. His performance on defense will determine whether he can stay in the rotation. TSJ will be on the fringe of the rotation and his ability from the corners and on defense will determine whether he gets to overtake Jingles as #9. Behind them is Minott and Miller. Believe it or not, Clark as a two way gives us more incentive not to play him at the NBA level. If he succeeds he is an RFA and we would likely lose him to a team willing to pay 5 or 6. Meanwhile if we keep him in the G and let him develop away from prying eyes. Now we can likely get him on a Naz Reid style minimum (the Hinkie special I believe it is called, and is the same basic contract as Minott,) and now we have 4 cheap years of Clark. Remember that he has been a two way last year and thus cannot be a two way for us again. We have a strong incentive not to use Clark this year.

[BlacJacMac]

P.S. Once again, Jaylen must be able to hit open threes in order to get minutes.

That's the biggest thing, and the reason I think he spends the year in Iowa. He needs to shoot like ten 3s every game until he proves he can (or can't) make enough of them to be playable.

I personally don't believe he has any offensive game at the Pro Level at this time. He was 6/25 overall in Summer League. 2/9 from 3. In 72 Minutes, he went to the FT line only twice and had 3 Assists. He has no game off the bounce and is a limited cutter.

[thinktank]

P.S. Once again, Jaylen must be able to hit open threes in order to get minutes.

That's the biggest thing, and the reason I think he spends the year in Iowa. He needs to shoot like ten 3s every game until he proves he can (or can't) make enough of them to be playable.

I personally don't believe he has any offensive game at the Pro Level at this time. He was 6/25 overall in Summer League. 2/9 from 3. In 72 Minutes, he went to the FT line only twice and had 3 Assists. He has no game off the bounce and is a limited cutter.

He has one move and it’s a low percentage dribble spin move into a jump hook.

[BlacJacMac]

P.S. Once again, Jaylen must be able to hit open threes in order to get minutes.

That's the biggest thing, and the reason I think he spends the year in Iowa. He needs to shoot like ten 3s every game until he proves he can (or can't) make enough of them to be playable.

I personally don't believe he has any offensive game at the Pro Level at this time. He was 6/25 overall in Summer League. 2/9 from 3. In 72 Minutes, he went to the FT line only twice and had 3 Assists. He has no game off the bounce and is a limited cutter.

He has one move and it’s a low percentage dribble spin move into a jump hook.

Yup. Its a drive left, spin-back hook shot to his right. And its going to get swallowed up by NBA defenders.

And this doesn't bode well for his scoring off cuts:

Clark has learned how to be a solid off-ball cutter. He sneaks along the baseline for backdoors, reacts to dribble penetration and post-ups well, and generally converts when he gets to the bucket. But at 6’5”, Clark is really grounded as a finisher. He had 57 attempts at the rim in the half-court and 0 dunks on the season.

His limited creation ability and athleticism put a cap on his at-rim finishing skill. He’s not a high-flying lob threat even on designed plays, as evidenced by the fact that he logged only four dunks in the half-court in three seasons at UCLA.