Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers recently disclosed that the team's starting small forward spot is a "wide open" competition between Luc Mbah a Moute, Alan Anderson, Wesley Johnson.
The Clippers have just begun training camp and with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and JJ Redick all sure of their roles, one spot in the starting lineup, the number three position, is being rotated by different players so far.
Mbah a Moute suited up with the four mainstays during the team's training camp opener on Tuesday when the media arrived, but new acquisition Anderson was the one playing with the starters earlier in the session.
Johnson, who had the opportunity to start nine times with the Clips last season, is also said to be another candidate for the starting job in the upcoming season.
"It's the first day. I think that job is wide open," said Rivers, as per ESPN. "I'd say Luc, Alan, Wes would be the three (options), but we may go small. Like I said last year, and didn't follow through on it, that position will change a lot. Last year, we ran a lot with the small lineup, three guards, and we may do that to start games."
Last year, Rivers had Lance Stephenson, Josh Smith, and Paul Pierce to choose from at small forward. Pierce was the only one who remained and it looks like the former Celtic champion will not get that much playing time in what was announced as his final season as a professional.
Rivers said that if he opts to go with a "small lineup" then Redick will more likely play the small forward role with either Austin Rivers, Jordan Crawford, or Raymond Felton partnering with Paul in the backcourt.
"When you play Austin with that group, he can guard a better offensive player and CP (Chris Paul) can do what the rest of the league does - their point guards never guard the other point guard. We want to do that a lot this year," Rivers said.
Rivers specifically mentioned Mbah a Moute and Anderson as his top two options, saying that the two players "both bringing defense; they're excellent defenders" and that they are "bringing toughness to that group, which is nice", according to the Orange County Register.
The coach then said that each player has his own strengths and he will get them as the season progresses.
