Terance Mann will be part of the Clippers’ starting lineup when the NBA’s regular season begins next week.
Though point guard Russell Westbrook, wings Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and center Ivica Zubac had long established themselves as starters, the role of the fifth starter had not been revealed until coach Tyronn Lue’s announcement before practice Friday.
The Clippers spent their four-game preseason schedule, which concluded Thursday, testing various options by rotating Mann, Robert Covington and Nicolas Batum into the starting lineup. The 6-foot-5 Mann, who turned 27 this week, has been tasked with every role from point guard to defending centers in his four previous seasons with the Clippers but saw his role fluctuate last season.