The interview remains critical in the NBA draft process

Russell Westbrook has reportedly asked Ty Lue to come off the bench for the LA Clippers. Westbrook’s hope is that this move will help the Clippers find some continuity with their starting lineup.

In the wake of the James Harden trade, the Clippers are 0-5 and have lost six straight games overall. LA’s offense has been uneven and has lacked spacing at time with their new starting lineup.

Westbrook came off the bench in 49 games for the Los Angles Lakers last season, before being traded to and bought out by the Utah Jazz. That was Westbrook’s first run of games as a reserve since his rookie season with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008-09.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been speculated as a team that could trade for any number of available players at the trade deadline. That list is headlined by Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets.

The Thunder aren’t focused on outside acquisitions. Oklahoma City is instead looking forward to the return of injured players like Chet Holmgren, and now Isaiah Hartenstein. Given their place at the top of the Western Conference standings, Oklahoma City is also reluctant to disrupt what has been a top team this year, and one that has great team chemistry.

The Thunder announced this week that Holmgren is making progress and will be re-evaluated in three-to-five weeks from his fractured pelvis. Hartenstein is going to be out for at least a week due to a left calf strain.

With both big men returning soon, Oklahoma City is focused on how they will re-integrate them into the lineup. Mark Daigneault could play both bigs together, or could use them as a starter-backup combo.