Ramifications of Westbrook to Clippers

Russell Westbrook is staying in Los Angeles but switching teams, going from the Lakers to the Clippers by way of Utah.

So what does that mean for the other players on the Clippers? Who will be most impacted and which players will see their role change the most?

Here are André Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick, John Cregan and Steve Alexander to explain.

More rest for Kawhi?

Since the two point guards who would have been most impacted — Reggie Jackson and John Wall — have moved on? My gut tells me Kawhi Leonard. This is strictly in terms of how it affects within fantasy. But in my opinion Westbrook’s presence will make it easier for Ty Lue to exercise a little more load management for Leonard down the stretch… specifically, the range of games that correspond with the fantasy playoffs. Outside of an all-in-playoff seeding-dependent game? It’s hard to see Leonard playing the back end of back-to-backs for the duration. — Cregan

Less opportunity for role players?

The biggest impact is likely to Terance Mann, Eric Gordon and/or Bones Hyland. In the six games leading into the All-Star Break, Mann averaged 16.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.8 APG and 1.8 3PG in 29.8 MPG. Gordon averaged 24.0 MPG in his two games with the Clippers, while Hyland averaged 16.0 MPG. My assumption is that Westbrook is going to get somewhere near the 29 MPG he averaged in his sixth man role with the Lakers, and those minutes and on-ball opportunities have to come from somewhere. Gordon was fantasy relevant with the Rockets, while Hyland has shown signs since last season, but it’s hard to imagine that either gets enough minutes moving forward. Mann may be a wait-and-see, because perhaps he and Westbrook can play together in the second unit with Mann doing more finishing, but he also seemingly takes a big hit with Westbrook in town….