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Clippers: Terance Mann can hit higher ceiling without Kawhi Leonard

By Jerry Trotta

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks breaks the double team defense by Terance Mann #14 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of Game Five of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 2, 2021 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks breaks the double team defense by Terance Mann #14 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of Game Five of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 2, 2021 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers‘ title hopes came crashing down at the most inopportune time when news broke that Kawhi Leonard partially tore his ACL in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz.

Though the Clippers went on to dispose of the Jazz, they came up just short of upsetting the Phoenix Suns with a trip to the Finals on the line.

For as devastating as the Clips’ elimination was, their inspiring playoff run proved this roster was built to enjoy sustained success…even if Leonard misses most of the 2021-22 campaign recovering from knee surgery.

A big reason behind that? Terance Mann, who amazingly played his best basketball of the season on the biggest stage, erupting for memorable performances when Los Angeles needed him most without Leonard.

That got us thinking: what ceiling could Mann reach next season while Leonard is working himself back to full strength?

Clippers: What is Terance Mann’s ceiling without Kawhi Leonard?

Mann was essentially a non-factor during the regular season. He’d provide the occasional two-way spark off the bench, but, despite the best efforts of Clippers fans, Ty Lue refused to make him a prominent piece in the rotation.

Once the playoffs started, however, Mann forced his way into the rotation, averaging 10.7 points with .561/.474/.900 shooting splits in just over 18 minutes per game in the Jazz series. He came back down to earth against Phoenix, but that was to be expected given he peaked from an efficiency standpoint vs Utah.

At that point, Mann was playing a career high in minutes and took the fourth-most shots on the team behind Paul George, Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris.

Should Mann be a focal point of the Clippers offense next season? Probably. If you think about it, only George and Jackson should be getting more touches than the 2019 second-round pick on that end of the floor.

For context, Mann averaged 5.2 field goals and just 1.4 threes per game during the regular season. As long as he gets about 25-30 minutes per game in 2021, his field goal attempts should double.

As far as threes are concerned, we’d be content with him attempting between 4-7 per game. Remember, we’re talking about a player who shot the three at a 41.8% clip during the regular season. Mann can stroke it and he should take his teammates’ advice and trust his shot more.

Hopefully, his playoff outburst — which included a 39-point masterpiece in Game 6 against the Jazz — will help boost his confidence.

As long as Lue views Mann as a crucial part of the rotation (how could he not!?), the Florida State product can definitely average a stat line of 14.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game with .445/.387/.803 shooting splits.

If that’s the case, the Clippers will be just fine without Leonard.

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