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INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – The Cleveland Cavaliers officially announced the signings of free agent guard Jarrett Jack and forward Earl Clark on Friday morning. Both players signed their contracts at Cleveland Clinic Courts right before being introduced to the media.

Jack spent last season with the Golden State Warriors. He agreed to a four-year contract worth $25 million.

Clark spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He agreed to a two-year contract worth $9 million.

“Very exciting day for us. We went into this offseason, we talked about a number of things we wanted to add to our team,” Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant said. “We wanted to add leadership, we wanted to add toughness, we wanted to have playoff experience, we wanted to add guys that can complement the culture and foundation that we already have in place and that we continue to build upon. These guys fit into our existing core.”

The nine-year veteran Jack will be playing for his sixth NBA team. For his career, Jack has averaged 11 points, four assists and a steal per game. Jack will provide a veteran presence in the backcourt and can serve as a mentor to the continued development of third-year guard Kyrie Irving and second-year guard Dion Waiters.

“I’m looking for them to learn from me and me learn from them, as well,” Jack said. “I don’t think anybody is above learning anything and opposed being open. I’ll try to get guys to do whatever is necessary to be as successful as possible.”

“He has a number of preexisting relationships with guys on our team which was plus for us bring him in,” Grant said. “I’ve known him since his days at Georgia Tech when I was in Atlanta. We tried to trade up in the draft and get him, so it took a few years but finally got him.”

The five-year veteran Clark will be playing for his fourth NBA franchise. For his career, Clark is averaging four points and three rebounds per game. Clark will compete for the starting small forward position this season.

“David Griffin, (Cavaliers) vice president of basketball operations drafted Earl in Phoenix so we had a strong relationship there,” Grant said. “Earl’s really come into his own as a player, we saw him do some dynamic things last year for the Lakers. He also has the ability because of his length and athleticism to guard those big wing players that we faced in the Eastern Conference, so we’re excited to add him.”

“Since I’ve been in the NBA that’s been my ammo, go out there and guard which allowed me to go out there and show off my offensive skills,” Clark said. “I like the challenge of guarding the best player out there, it’s exciting to me.”

Both Jack and Clark had a mutual reason to sign with the Cavaliers this offseason, the hiring of Mike Brown as head coach.

“Playing up under coach Brown a little bit during training camp (with Los Angeles) I know he is a defensive coach and that’s what he preaches. I’m excited to be here and excited to go out and play some defense,” Clark said.

“He’s the guy that’s gonna put us all in place to be as successful as we can,” Jack said.

The Cavaliers third free agent addition center Andrew Bynum has not officially signed with the team yet, but his new teammates are looking forward to having the seven-footer joining the wine and gold.

“An anchor in the middle I think is something that every team desperately is in need for,” Jack said. “When healthy he’s one of the best if not the best big man in the game in my opinion. If were able to lock it down and make this thing come to fruition, I thing he definitely takers our team to another level.”

Jack and Clark hope to play key roles in getting the Cavaliers back to the NBA Finals and hopefully bring home a World Championship to this championship starved city and it’s loyal fan base.

“I think that’s the thing that drives all of us,” Jack said. “Seeing the tremendous amount of talent that has come through this city and knowing that they still haven’t been able reached the mountain top, it would be just an incredible thing to come here and be able to do that.”

SOURCE: NewsNet5.com
Article and Picture Courtesy of WEWS NewsChannel 5