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Los Angeles Clippers: 3 long-term rotation decisions Rivers must figure out soon

By Aymin Bakr

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 9: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers shakes hands with Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers against the Denver Nuggets during a pre-season game on October 9, 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 9: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers shakes hands with Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers against the Denver Nuggets during a pre-season game on October 9, 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Marcin Gortat taking a reserve role permanently

Very few, if any, expected Marcin Gortat to completely fill the void at center that was the result of DeAndre Jordan‘s departure. However, many did expect a reasonable impact on the glass, defensively down low, and on the offensive side of the floor.

Thus far, Gortat is doing none of these things effectively and had an extremely underwhelming eight games as a starter. He’s only playing an average of 16.6 minutes per contest, and his stat line of 3.6 points and 5.5 rebounds on just 40 percent shooting from the field is far from ideal.

Given the recent success of Montrezl Harrell, coach Rivers may find it more beneficial to swap the two’s minutes for the remainder of the season. Boban Marjanovic has also been extremely effective when given over 15 minutes per contest this season (14.0 points and 8.8 rebounds on 67.8 percent shooting) but has always proven to be a situational talent due to being a defensive liability outside of the paint.

The recent win over the Orlando Magic saw Marjanovic start for the first time as a Clipper and also the first time since Jan. 3, 2018. Gortat did not play at all and Harrell had a double-double off the bench, proving a two-center rotation could potentially work. Nothing is set anything in stone just yet, however.

While Harrell seems to be the best option for starting center, he’s only 6’8″, so the team would be at a severe height disadvantage down low. Marjanovic also may not be able to match up effectively with a lot of athletic centers consistently, and a big reason he was able to start against the Magic was because Nikola Vucevic is on the slower side.

With this in mind, Gortat may very well continue to start out the game but take a backseat to Harrell or Marjanovic later on in the contest. It’s mostly dependent on matchups.

dark. Next. Playing trick-or-treat with each NBA team's early season trend

Whether Harrell becomes a consistent starter or if Rivers chooses to just interchange the three based on matchups, this will play a big role in the team’s success and the answer to this question will need to be found very soon.

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