Russell Westbrook is expected to start off the bench and be replaced in the starting lineup by forward Terrance Mann. Mann is to be re-inserted in the lineup alongside Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Paul George and Ivica Zubac, per Law Murray of The Athletic.
Mann was named a started to start the 2023/24 NBA season but was sidelined with an ankle sprain prior to the Clippers’ opener. However, with Harden coming to the Clippers, the team’s structure changed with both Westbrook and Harden being in the starting lineup.
Since the James Harden trade, the Clippers are 0-6 and they still haven’t recorded a win under their new star-studded roster. Westbrook has been willing to give up his role and Harden will be the primary ball-handler in the starting lineup.
Harden’s stat line has been acceptable so far despite the fact that he didn’t go through training and preseason and he only played six games with his new team. The veteran star is averaging 15.0 points 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.2 turnovers, 1.2 steals.
According to Murray, the Clippers will continue to evaluate the situation calling Harden as the player that fits better with the front office ideals considering his size and playmaking ability.
It remains to be seen if they see Russell Westbrook as an expendable piece, or they believe that Westbrook will be happy to elevate the team’s second unit especially in the offensive side of the ball.
The James Harden trade has been comprehensively disruptive.
The decision to bring Russell Westbrook off of the bench is not one that the players or coaches would have wanted.@LawMurrayTheNU on the thought process:https://t.co/xzPUsuA5Y1 pic.twitter.com/ktP1SMusNx
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) November 17, 2023
