Russell Westbrook Requests to Come Off Bench and Clippers Likely Open to Idea

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook has requested to come off the bench for the purpose of giving the team more of an offensive flow, per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT.

Westbrook has continued to start since Los Angeles acquired James Harden from the 76ers — and the Clippers have yet to win since the deal. They are 0-6 on the road and have lost six straight overall to fall to 3-7.

Coming off the bench would be nothing new for Westbrook. He did the same for the crosstown Lakers in 49 games last season. But the spacing has not been great with Westbrook, Harden, and forward Kawhi Leonard and Paul George all on the floor at the same time.

Some say the Clippers just need to give it time. But they’re 0-5 since the Harden deal and time may be running out. Now would be the time to experiment.

Haynes described Westbrook as “the vocal leader of the team” and reported that Westbrook made the request to “help the continuity” of what has been a mess of a start.

No word on whether coach Tyronn Lue will grant Westbrook his request, but it is probably worth a shot. Nothing else seems to be working for the Clippers at the moment.

Westbrook, 35, is averaging 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists, shooting 47 percent from the field, though just 31 percent on threes.