When Mann was announced as the starter, I wrote that it was a possible sign that Harden could fit the starting lineup as a smaller-sized unit with Westbrook, George, Leonard and Ivica Zubac in the event a trade went down.
There are still questions about how the Clippers will proceed. Some are assuming Westbrook will not start, but the depth chart above shows why that would not make any sense outside of a Lakers ecosystem; bringing Mann off the bench balances the depth chart, and Westbrook likely staggers with the bench more anyway with players such as Norman Powell and Mann. The dynamic between Westbrook and Harden will need an update, as the two parted ways from Houston in 2020 after a one-season reunion. But there is no conflict between Harden and Westbrook, a league source told The Athletic, and the two have always maintained a line of communication.
Its a conundrum a little because while Harden is the better player, Russ is the better fit for what the clippers are aiming to do. I would start both though and count on russ, harden, pg, kawhi and zu to figure it out all have high enough basketball IQ but the goal is to push the pace and defense James has to get on board with that its a must.