The Clippers’ 2025 season is now in the rearview, which means it’s time to start up exit interviews for all of the players who had at least somewhat meaningful roles on the team. First up, departed fan favorite Terance Mann.

Basic Information

Height: 6’5

Weight: 215 pounds

Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward/Power Forward

Age: 28

Years in NBA: 6

Key Regular Season Stats (for Clippers): 6.0 points, 1.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 turnovers in 19.8 minutes per game across 37 games played (12 starts) on 44.6/34.7/71.9 (2.0 3PA and 0.9 FTA) shooting splits (53.3 True Shooting)

Expectations

After a 2024 season where Terance served as a starter almost the entire season, and fresh off a major contract extension right before training camp, it was expected that Terance would have a major role on the 2025 Clippers. With Kawhi out to start the season and a bunch of new faces on the roster, Terance’s status as the second-longest tenured Clipper and ability to serve in a variety of roles seemed to place him as a prime candidate for a starting role on a makeshift roster. Fans probably assumed he would remain the starting “shooting guard”, as he had in 2024, alongside James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Derrick Jones Jr., and someone else. Regardless, Terance was seemingly all set for a consistent, key role.

Reality

Terance did in fact begin the 2025 season as a starter – but at small forward, not shooting guard. Norm Powell, somewhat unexpectedly, ran away with the starting job in training camp, rounding out the rest of the expected starting five. Terance had played plenty of small forward previously in his career, so his serving as the starter at that role didn’t seem like too much of an adjustment. And maybe it really wasn’t, but Terance just started out the year slowly. Very slowly.

In the first 10 games of the season, Terance averaged just 5.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting a mere 16.6% from three (3-18). He was hesitant on offense and the defense was only good, not great. He started one more game against the Thunder, during which he played less than 18 minutes. After that, Kris Dunn was inserted into the starting lineup in his place. Terance started just one more game the rest of his Clippers’ tenure.

Terance seemed to be turning things around in mid-late November coming off the bench, with several strong performances in wins over the Warriors, Sixers, and Nuggets in that span. Unfortunately, Terance got injured in the December 3 win over the Blazers, and missed the rest of December. When he returned, the Clippers’ rotation was far more set in stone, with Dunn’s defense, Amir’s shooting, and Kevin Porter Jr.’s creation all being valued heavily by Ty Lue. Terance got two DNP-CDs in his first seven games back, player under 10 minutes in two more, and played over 20 minutes just once (in a blowout).

Terance then had a stretch where he played in nine straight games, but only had standout performances in the first two of those. He remained shaky and unsure of himself on offense, and Ty continued to keep his minutes mostly in the 10-20 minute range. Terance’s hold on a rotation spot certainly seemed to be slipping, and then, on the day of the trade deadline, Thursday February 6, he was traded to the Hawks out of the blue for Bogdan Bogdanovic and three second-round picks. Terance Mann’s tenure, which began at the start of the 213 era in the 2019 Draft, abruptly ended, as the Clippers continued to turn over their roster.

Future with Clippers

It’s not impossible that Terance ends up back on the Clippers. There didn’t seem to be any bad blood on either side on the way out, with the trade appearing purely transactional for the Clippers and with Terance going to a relatively solid situation in Atlanta. Terance has the three years left on his extension and might well get a contract after that, so it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility he returns to the Clippers someday. But considering that contract will probably be tough to move unless he plays a lot better (in which case Atlanta would presumably want to keep him), and that the Clippers traded him to get out of that contract, it’s tough to see him return to the Clips over the next three years.

Even if he never comes back to the Clippers, I’m sure Clippers fans will remember Terance fondly in years to come. He may have been overvalued by the organization (they assuredly could have received far more for him in a trade in any of the previous three years), but he was a fan favorite who was a key piece to some of the best Clippers’ teams in franchise history. In particular, Terance’s Game 6 performance against the Jazz in the 2021 Playoffs to get the Clippers to their first ever Conference Finals will live in Clippers’ lore forever. It’s just a shame the end to his Clippers’ tenure was so unceremonious and that Terance never quite developed in the way that fans hoped he would after that incredible playoff run.

2025 Clippers Exit Interviews: Terance Mann
Robert Flom

The biggest Clippers’ trade of the 2025 NBA trade deadline (by far) was one they executed today about 30 minutes before the deadline, sending Terance Mann and Bones Hyland to the Atlanta Hawks for Bogdan Bogdanovic and three second-round picks.

For the Clippers, the major piece outgoing in the deal is Mann, who has been an organizational favorite and success story since his selection at 48 in the 2019 Draft. Terance was the Clippers’ lone draft hit of the entire 213 era, playing in 382 games in his 5.5 seasons on the team and starting nearly half of them (168). He quickly won fans over with his energy, hustle, and finishing abilities, and will absolutely be missed by the fanbase. Perhaps most importantly, Terance’s Game 6 performance against the Utah Jazz in the 2021 playoffs will forever be etched in Clippers’ franchise lore, a magical, special game in all of the ways sports can be so rewarding. Mann’s 39 points and incredible seven three-point makes drove the Clippers to a huge comeback win and their first-ever Conference Finals, and that can never be taken away from him or from the Clippers.

Unfortunately, Terance has never quite reached those peaks again. He’s mostly hung around the Clippers’ rotation, but was demoted in 2023 due to the arrival of Russell Westbrook, and has been on the fringes for much of this year due to an injury and the play of other wings on the roster. Terance’s three-point shooting has just never gotten good enough for him to solidify a spot as a true starting-level player, and his lack of confidence and aggression has been a similarly persistent issue. Despite the Clippers giving him a 3-year, $47M extension before this season, it was time to move on for both parties. The Clippers will get Terance’s money off their books for coming seasons, and Terance will get a new start in Atlanta. I wish it had ended differently for the second-longest tenured player on the Clippers, but Terance should be in a good spot with the Hawks.

Bones Hyland will be a much less fondly remembered Clipper. His acquisition at the trade deadline in 2023 for a couple second round picks was met with much excitement, as he was less than a year removed from being on the All-Rookie team and was brimming with potential. Unfortunately, Westbrook’s arrival that year (and the Eric Gordon acquisition) followed by Harden’s early the following season meant Bones rarely cracked the rotation. When he did, there were a few moments of brilliance (that one Bulls’ game last year lives on), but not much else. And, while the players seemed to get along with Bones, the coaching staff clearly did not trust him or feel that he was ready and prepared to be called upon when needed. The Clippers have been shopping him for months, and his inclusion in a deal at the deadline seemed a foregone conclusion.

Bogdan Bogdanovic is by far the most pedigreed of the three players, having played for Sacramento and Atlanta for 7.5 seasons. Coming over to the NBA late, Bogdanovic is already 32 years old, and has suffered a number of lower body injuries that have slowed him down. Those injuries and his subsequent downturn in play (this year has been by far the worst of Bogdans’ NBA career) are why he’s available at all after being a key piece for the Hawks. Bogdan has played in just 24 games this year, and is averaging 10 points per game on 37.1% shooting from the field and 30.1% from three in 24.9 minutes per game. For his career, those averages are 14.4, 43.5, and 38 respectively, with the three-point shooting coming on very high volume (6.5 attempts per game).

When Bogi (as he’s affectionately known) is right, he’s a dead-eye three-point shooter who can hit shots off the catch, off the dribble, and off movement. While never a great defender, he has the size at 6’5, 220 to not be a target on that end. Additionally, while not a great playmaker or lead ballhandler, Bogi is good enough at both skills to be a focal point of second unit offenses, coming in top-six in Sixth Man of the Year voting two times. In short, Bogdan is a well-rounded offensive weapon who can both be more of a leading man when hot and fade more into a role player, floor-spacing style as well when not.

The question for the Clippers is whether Bogdan has much left in the tank. The numbers this year are very, very bad, and the sample size is large enough that it’s a concern whether he’ll be able to play at his former level again (at least this season). If he can, he’s someone who will easily fit into many Clippers lineups and will effectively take the place Amir Coffey had been filling so far as the 6^th man. If he’s more limited, he will probably fit in more to the KPJ role as the 8^th man.

However, it seems reasonably clear the Clippers did not really do this trade for Bogdan himself. Instead, they did the deal to move off Mann’s future salary to give themselves more financial flexibility in years to come (Bogdan’s deal is slightly less money than Terance’s, and ends in 2027 instead of 2028) as well as to get a few picks back in the door. The Clippers’ pick asset chest was nearly depleted, and these picks will help with replenishing that stockpile. To be more specific, the Clippers got the 2025 Timberwolves second (likely to be in the 47-52 range), a protected 2026 Memphis pick (will go to them if it’s between 31-42), and, most importantly by far, their own 2027 second round pick. That is the crown jewel of the lot, as it both gives the Clippers a real asset of sorts and will allow them to reap at least a small benefit of being bad if they are deep in the lottery that season (high second round picks are more valuable than late firsts, usually).

There’s one other wrinkle, here, which is the obvious: the Clippers sent out two players and got back just one, clearing a roster spot. This could be used in one of two ways. First, the Clippers could sign a buyout player – think Malcolm Brogdon or Ben Simmons as the two most likely candidates. Second, if the Clippers don’t get a buyout candidate, they can convert Jordan Miller from a two-way to a full NBA contract, locking him up for years to come at a cost-controlled value.

Overall, this trade is a pretty good piece of work by the Clippers. They got off longterm money (even if it was a fan favorite player), acquired a player with some upside in Bogdanovic who is on a slightly cheaper and shorter deal, opened a roster spot, and received some draft capital. It’s not a homerun, but it is a nice, B to B+ type move (similar to the Eubanks trade) that should give short-term and long-term benefits.

Best of luck to Terance and Bones in Atlanta, and welcome Bogdan to Inglewood!

Clippers Trade Bones Hyland and Terance Mann for Bogdan Bogdanovic Plus Picks
Robert Flom

Our player preview series for the 2025 Clippers season continues with Terance Mann, the team’s second longest tenured player.

Basic Information

Height: 6’5

Weight: 215 pounds

Position: Guard/Forward

Age: 27

Years in NBA: 5

Key Stats: 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 turnovers in 25.0 minutes per game across 75 games (71 starts) on 51.5/34.8/83.2 shooting splits.

Contract Status: $11,423,077 this season before the new three-year, $47 million extension kicks in for the 2025-26 season.

Expectations

Terance Mann is certainly one of the players on the roster that Clippers fans might have high expectations for. He’s approaching his sixth season in the NBA and quite frankly hasn’t exactly been used consistently to his strengths by the Clippers.

Now, with the departures of Paul George and Russell Westbrook, Mann might finally be able to lock down a consistent role. He’s been a defensive stopper. He’s been a spot-up shooter. He’s been a secondary ball-handler and shot creator. He’s been an offensive rebounder. He’s played multiple positions. But the team just doesn’t seem to know how they want to use him consistently.

Thankfully for Mann, he’s a jack of all trades and has fit rather seamlessly into whatever role the Clippers needed from him. He will no doubt be in the starting lineup as the team’s starting two-guard. With George gone and Kawhi Leonard’s status still uncertain, fans should expect Mann to be tasked with being a secondary ball-handler and playmaker behind James Harden.

Strengths

Mann’s greatest strength is that he can do a little bit of everything. When the Clippers first drafted him, they played him as a big point guard and so he developed playmaking skills and is able to read defenses well. He’s developed a nice pick and roll chemistry with Ivica Zubac.

He’s worked on his three-point shot to become a consistent catch and shoot threat. His ball-handling ability allows him to attack the basket and put pressure on the defense. He’s one of the best finishers on the team and has been able to draw fouls.

Mann is a versatile defender as well, solid on and off ball.

Weaknesses

While Mann has become a three-point threat, most of his jumpers come from off-ball movement. With the ball in his hands, he’s a slasher. He doesn’t bring all that much in terms of a pull-up jumper.

Mann can also be hesitant to shoot at times. He’s worked himself into becoming a shooter, he just has to have that confidence to let shots fly when he’s open and help keep defenses honest.

Summary

Mann has quickly become a fan favorite during his Clippers tenure and fans are no doubt thrilled with his extension. He’s the epitome of a good role player.

There’s only been one season of his career so far that he’s averaged double-figures in scoring (10.8 in 2021-22). Look for him climb slightly above the double-figures mark this upcoming season.

In all, he’ll reprise his role as one of the Clippers most dependable and reliable players.

Clippers 2024-2025 Player Preview: Terance Mann
David Yapkowitz

Close to a month after locking up starting center Ivica Zubac on a three year extension, the Clippers did the same with starting wing Terance Mann. Mann’s deal came in a little lower than Zu’s, at 3/47 instead of 3/58.6, but it’s a number that makes a great deal of sense for both sides.

Terance, who came into the league as the 48th pick in the 2019 Draft, is the second-longest tenured player on the Clippers – behind just Zu. Across his five-year career, he’s averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game on strong scoring efficiency and solid defense. As a late second round pick, Terance’s first contract was very small, and even after his 2 year, $22M extension in October 2021 this new deal will close to double all of his previous earnings. It’s not a massive bag for an NBA player, but it’s a lot of money.

For the Clippers, Terance, like Zu, has been one of the most reliable players on the team. Since he entered the rotation in his second season, he’s played in 67 (in a shortened 2021 season), 81, 81, and 75 games, missing under 15 games total in that span. He hasn’t developed quite how fans were hoping after his breakout season in 2021 as a 24-year-old, but he has filled whatever role the Clippers’ coaching staff has asked of him, and done it while playing hard and with constant energy. Even if he’s more of a 5th starter or key bench player on a great team, those players, especially at the coveted wing positions, are making well over $10M per year for the most part, making this a very fair deal (if not quite a steal) for the Clips.

In the longer-term, the Clippers now have Terance under contract through the 2028 season, the same as Zu. At that time, Terance would be 31, or nearing the end of his prime. In short, the Clippers have secured two of their hopeful starters for the next few years on very reasonable deals that are flexible under the new CBA. Good work by the team.

However, let’s not kid ourselves about Terance being a trade chip. This is a bit different than Zu, as the Clippers have no replacement for Zu on the horizon. Terance is a different story – the Clippers just signed Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn to three-year deals this summer, and there’s some overlap (though also some clear notable differences) between the three veterans. The Clippers also drafted Cam Christie in the second round and have Jordan Miller waiting in the wings as well. Now, those players could all be traded as well, but Mann’s deal probably increases his trade value, not the other way around. In short, while I’d love for Terance to play out this deal in LA, that outcome is by no means a certainty.

With the Zu and Terance extensions in the books, the Clippers’ offseason work is probably over. A Bones Hyland or PJ Tucker trade could still come, but there have been no rumors along those lines, so this seems like it will be the roster come training camp in a few days. Congratulations to Terance on the new deal!

Clippers Sign Terance Mann to Three Year Extension
Robert Flom

Our exit interview series on the 2024 Clippers continues with fan favorite role player Terance Mann.

Basic Information

Height: 6’5

Weight: 215 pounds

Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward

Age: 27

Years in NBA: 5

Key Regular Season Stats: 8.8 points, 1.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 turnovers in 25.0 minutes per game across 75 games played (71 starts) on 51.5/34.8/83.2 (2.7 3PA and 1.3 FTA) shooting splits (61.5 True Shooting)

Postseason Stats: 9.3 points, 1.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.8 turnovers in 31.2 minutes per game across 6 games played (all starts) on 41.3/45.5/100 (3.7 3PA and 1.3 FTA attempts) shooting splits (56.4 True Shooting)

Expectations

Coming into this season, Terance was expected to have a more stable role than he did in 2023, when he played fairly consistently but was at times the backup four, the starting point guard, and all roles in between. As always, Terance was expected to bring his usual mix of energy, defense, slashing, and reluctant three-point shooting. At age 27 and with four years under his belt, there was no longer the thought of a “breakout” season, but instead more a focus on steadiness and consistency.

Reality

While his play was up and down at times, Terance was a model of reliability in one way, which was availability. After two consecutive seasons of playing 81 games, Terance “slipped” to 75 this year, second-most on the team behind Norm Powell. Terance’s stats were also shockingly similar to his 2023 numbers, with virtually no changes to points, rebounds, or steals despite playing a couple more minutes per game.

Still, it was a nice season for Terance, who entered the starting lineup early in the year after the disastrous Russ-Harden-PG-Kawhi starting experiment was mercifully ended, and never left. He was an integral part of the Clippers’ midseason surge with his ability to play without the ball, add pace in transition, and take on tough defensive assignments on the perimeter. After shooting 15-77 from deep across the first two months of the season, Terance shot over 40% from three in each of the last four months. As always, he was frustratingly reluctant to shoot at times, but in games where he let it fly, he made the Clippers’ starting lineup very tough to guard.

That strong play carried over into the playoffs. Terance’s numbers actually dipped compared to the 2023 postseason, but those box score stats don’t account or defense. And now, with the NBA Finals starting tonight, nobody in the playoffs has done a better job against Luka Doncic than Terance Mann. Terance hounded Luka up the court, bodied him away from his favorite spots, and didn’t fall for almost any of Luka’s myriad of fakes and hesitations. It was masterful defense, and gave the Clippers a real chance in that series even with their offense severely underperforming.

In general, 2024 was just another solid season for Terance, who has solidified himself as a 5^th starter/key bench caliber player on a contending level team. He’s rarely going to score 20 points, but he does most of the little things you want from those role players, and he does them consistently.

Future with Clippers

Terance has one year left on his two-year, $22M deal, a very nice contract considering Terance’s production and reliability. Terance is one of the few players on the roster with positive trade value, but considering the Clippers already have their stars and need depth, trading Terance would seem unlikely. Realistically, he’s quite likely to be back on the Clippers in 2025, and if anything, might get an extension this summer to keep him on the team for the rest of his prime. A beloved role player, fans would certainly be upset if Terance were to go anywhere, but fortunately should not have to worry.

2024 Clippers Exit Interview: Terance Mann
Robert Flom

It is officially official, as Ty Lue named Terance Mann as the Clippers’ starting power forward today at practice. Thus, the Clippers’ starting lineup will be Russell Westbrook – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Mann – Ivica Zubac.

For as much as I have pushed Mann as a starter over the years, I’m not sure I love the fit with him and Russell Westbrook and Zubac. Mann needs to be ready to shoot from three at a high-volume, and that’s something he hasn’t shown he can do. Maybe he gets there – he’s shot well from three at a low volume. But Mann has peaked at 3.8 threes attempted per 36 minutes, and that needs to go way, way up. If he doesn’t, the spacing in that unit will not be great. Robert Covington’s ability to launch threes at a high-clip, plus his help defense, made him my top choice as the fifth starter.

However, Mann is the best overall player to plug into the starting lineup, and his combination of ball-handling, perimeter defense, energy, and at least some shooting is a good fit. He is a better player than Covington, or Nic Batum – and certainly than KJ Martin or Marcus Morris. I’m glad he’s getting a steady role, and hope he makes the most of it.

The next question is what the bench will look like. Bones Hyland and Norm Powell are locks as the guards. Mason Plumlee is set at center. That leaves two spots. One of Covington or Nic Batum seems necessary for defense and shooting. However, Ty Lue has not liked playing both of them together, and I get why – it’s a limited duo in terms of playmaking and creation. If only one of them plays, the next most likely option is KJ Martin, who offers athleticism and rebounding – but also doesn’t bring any more in the way of ballhandling or playmaking.

There is the possibility that Ty starts the year with a 9 man rotation, plays one of Nico and RoCo, and brings one of the starters in with the bench. However, he’s said he wants a 10 man rotation, and for an older, injury-prone team, it makes sense to start with more guys and then work down. Therefore, my guess is the bench unit is Bones-Norm-KJ-RoCo-Plumlee. Nico is awesome, but I think the very fact that the Clippers are dead certain they know what they’re getting for him makes it easier to keep him out of the rotation early and work him in whenever needed.

So, that’s it for now. Marcus Morris is, finally, no longer the Clippers’ starting power forward. Clippers fans everywhere outside of Morris Muse can rejoice, and the Clippers’ lineup should be more dynamic and energetic.

Terance Mann Named Clippers’ Starting Forward
Robert Flom

Our exit interview series on the 2023 Clippers continues with a review of the season of one Terance Mann.

Basic Information

Height: 6’5

Weight: 215 pounds

Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward/Power Forward

Age: 26

Years in NBA: 4

Key Regular Season Stats: 8.8 points, 2.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 0.5 steals, and 1.0 turnovers in 23.1 minutes per game across 81 games played (36 starts) on 51.9/38.9/78.0 (2.4 3PA and 1.5 FTA attempts) shooting splits (61.9 True Shooting)

Postseason Stats: 10.6 points, 2.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.8 turnovers in 26.6 minutes per game across 5 games played (zero starts) on 57.6/47.4/66.7 (3.8 3PA and 1.8 FTA attempts) shooting splits (71.7 True Shooting)

Expectations

After another solid step forward in the 2022 season, fans were hoping for a breakout for Terance Mann for the Clippers’ 2023 campaign. Reasonable expectations would have been for similar levels of production on a per minute basis with increased efficiency due to playing next to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, even with Terance coming off the bench. Even as a reserve, everyone believed Terance would have a major role to play on the Clippers as one of the only guys on the roster not a small guard or bigger, older forward.

Reality

Somewhat shockingly, Terance Mann was on the fringes of the rotation to start the season, with Luke Kennard, Norm Powell, and John Wall all ahead of him. Between Kawhi’ injury and Wall’s load management he was still able to receive some minutes, but he averaged just 16.2 minutes per game in October across seven games played. With the Clippers injured and struggling, Terance’s minutes shot up to 23.5 in November, and he put together a solid month scoring 9 points per game on a 62.6 True Shooting. However, Kawhi returned in December, the Clippers got healthy, and Terance’s minutes sank once more to 19.8 in the final month of 2022.

Then, one fateful day in early January 2023, with the Clippers in the middle of a five-game losing streak, the call was made to bump Terance Mann to the starting unit as the point guard, demoting Reggie Jackson. Terance proceeded to start the next 20 games for the Clippers, and had a fantastic February with 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on a ridiculous 75.4 True Shooting across 10 games played. The Clippers went 12-8 in those games: not great, but a better winning percentage than they had the rest of the season (32-30), and in their toughest schedule stretch as well. In short, Terance starting was a success, as the team notably had more energy, defense, and overall activity with him compared to Reggie or John Wall.

At the All Star Break, however, the Clippers signed Russell Westbrook because of the pleadings of Paul George and Ty Lue, and Terance was demoted to the bench once more. Terance started just one game the rest of the season, the fantastic win in Memphis with Kawhi and Paul George out, and played in under 20 minutes in 10 of their last 21 games. While Terance played well, he was quieter than he had been, and a lot less aggressive offensively than when he was starting.

In the playoffs, Terance played quite well despite more inconsistencies in playing time. He hit double digits in scoring every game (though four were 10 point outings and the other just 13), played solid defense, and was efficient shooting the ball. Unfortunately, he was brought off the bench in all postseason contests, limiting his minutes, even though Ty Lue played him a lot in second halves because of how well he played. Aggression offensively remained an issue, but Terance was a key part of the bench units that were the lineups winning the minutes against the Suns.

On the whole, it was a solid season for Terance, but one where it felt like he should have gotten more minutes. If I had my druthers, he would have been the starting point guard the rest of the season after the move there in early January. The Clippers just play better when he’s on the court, and his size, rebounding, and activity all stood in stark contrasts to the older guards on the Clippers who frequently played ahead of him. It seems like a true breakout isn’t going to happen, but the Terance Mann of the 2023 Clippers was a very nice player anyway.

Future with Clippers

Terance Mann just wrapped up his 4 year, $6.2M rookie contract that was one of the best bargains in the NBA, and is signed for two more years at $22M total. Terance is the second longest tenured Clipper behind Ivica Zubac and is beloved by Clippers’ fans. At just 26 years old (turning 27 right when the NBA season starts), Mann is squarely in his prime, one of only three Clippers (the others being Zu and Amir Coffey) for whom that can be said. Thus, he probably has the most trade value of any player on the roster outside of Kawhi Leonard, and is along with the Clippers’ distant 1^st round picks the Clips’ only meaningful trade chip (maybe Zu depending on the other team needs).

However, all of those items are what make him valuable to the Clippers too. While he hasn’t proven capable of sopping up usage or being a high-volume scorer, his combination of defense, ball-handling, defense, rebounding, and passing makes him an ideal fit next to the Clippers’ two stars as well as on high-energy bench units. Unless the Clippers are getting a true star, it’s hard to imagine Terance getting traded – if anything, hopefully he has a bigger role on the Clippers in years to come.

2023 Clippers Exit Interview: Terance Mann
Robert Flom

Our 2022-2023 player season preview series continues with Terance Mann, one of the players with the most upside on the team.

Basic Information

Height: 6’5

Weight: 215 pounds

Position: Shooting guard/Small forward

Age: 25

Years in NBA: 3

Key Stats: 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists in 28.6 minutes per game across 81 games played with 48.4/36.5/78.0 shooting splits.

Contract Status: Making $1.9M this year before a 2 year $22M extension kicks in next season.

Expectations

When Terance Mann first came into the NBA, the prevailing thought was that he could possibly develop into a big point guard for the Clippers. Fast-forward to now and he’s found his role as a bit of a jack-of-all-trades wing. This season, Mann will be asked to help steady the second unit. He’s improved as a player each year he’s been in the league, and this will hopefully be the season that he puts it all together.

Last season was supposed to be a breakout year of sorts for Mann, and to some extent it was. He posted career-best numbers; but his efficiency dropped from the previous season. A lot of that, however, can be chalked up to players being asked to step out of their comfort zone due to the shuffling roster the Clippers had.

With a healthy roster, Mann should be able to settle back into his comfort zone while posting better numbers on improved efficiency like his 2020-21 season.

Strengths

The one aspect of Mann’s game that he excels in also happens to be an area the Clippers struggled with last season without their star players. He one of the team’s best slashing threats and he is an efficient finisher at the rim. He’s already had his share of highlight dunks. He’s already under control on his drives to the rim, and look for him to improve on that by earning more trips to the free-throw line.

Mann has also become a much more willing and consistent shooter from three-point range. What was once perceived as a weakness has now become an area of strength. He’s partial to the corner three and he shot 36.5 percent from distance last season. That was down from the 41.8 percent he shot in 2020-21, but it also came with an increase in attempts from the three-point line. Mann used to be a little hesitant to shoot from range, but he’s much more comfortable in that shot now. With a healthy roster, look for that percentage to increase as he sees more open catch and shoot looks.

Defensively, Mann is one of the team’s most versatile players. His size and quickness allows him to defend multiple positions, making him key in the Clippers switching schemes. There are times when he is put on the opposing team’s top perimeter threat. He’s become more disciplined on that end staying in front of opposing players and forcing them into difficult shots.

Weaknesses

The main thing that Mann has to work on is being able to sustain the level of aggressiveness he usually plays with. There were times last season when he wasn’t as aggressive offensively as he could have been, and he certainly has the skill-set and capability to take on an increased offensive role. Considering he’ll be coming off the bench, he will be one of the top shot creators with the second unit. Finding that balance between being just one of the cogs and being someone relied upon at times to get buckets is the one thing that will propel Mann to the next level

Summary

Just like the rest of the roster, Mann should see improved efficiency and overall production with the return of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. This team is built perfectly around its stars and Mann fits right in. It’s not unreasonable to think he could become that 12-15 points per game player off the bench shooting in the high 30’s from three-point range while providing lockdown defense. Out of all the Clippers’ young players, he has some of the most upside and he’s shown flashes of it the past three years. This should be the season where it all comes together.

Clippers 2022-2023 Season Preview: Terance Mann
David Yapkowitz

Our staff roundtable grades continue with a look at Terance Mann, a steady presence for the Clippers during the 2022 season.

Erik Olsgaard: B

Probably my harshest grade of the season, but it’s only because my expectations were sky high for Terance. Without PG for most of the season, and without Kawhi for all of it, Terance was thrust into a bigger role that didn’t let him spot up for open threes in the corner or float on the weak side short corner anymore for alley oops, without the two All Stars to attract all the attention. Unsurprisingly, Terance took fewer corner threes and converted fewer dunks, and his efficiency suffered as a result. But for a team lacking athleticism and struggling to convert in transition, Terance was still the Clippers’ only one-man-wrecking-crew, physical on both offense and defense. And with his normal role returning next year, the door is still wide open for Terance to take that leap we know he’s capable of.

Shapan Debnath: B-

Terance did… fine. Most of his per 36s line up with how he did last year, there was a lot of hype about him being a bit more dynamic of a playmaker coming into the season which were undone almost immediately. Eric Bledsoe was struggling as a starter, but Terance didn’t play well enough to take his position, and then with the Clippers ravaged by COVID and injuries, Terance picked up some steam and really played pretty well the rest of the year. Terance essentially revealed himself to be a connector and a pretty valuable one with unique Clipper traits such as athleticism, transition play, rim pressure, and active POA defense. Terance didn’t wow this year, but another good season of being exactly who he isn’t bad and it’s a lot of what the Clippers can use even when fully healthy.

Robert Flom: B+

I think it’s…. interesting that Luke Kennard is widely viewed to have had a very successful 2022 season while Terance Mann was a bit of a disappointment, considering both by and large held similar per 100 possessions numbers to their 2021 season. This is even more puzzling when Terance’s 2021 was considered a great success and Luke’s was a failure. Yes, yes, I know Luke played better than the numbers show, and that Terance’s very excellence in the last half of 2021 is what set expectations so much higher than Luke’s for 2022. Still, they had largely similar seasons in terms of providing similar production to the prior year but in much larger roles and with a lot more corresponding playing time. Therefore, I’m giving Terance the same grade I gave Luke, which is a B+.

Terance had a good 2022 season, providing point of attack defense, rebounding, some tertiary ballhandling, decent low-volume shooting, and devastating transition play to a team that needed all of those things. It wasn’t a breakout, but Terance played in the most games of any Clipper (81) and logged the second most minutes (2317, just a hair behind Reggie at 2337), and he provided positive value in a role much larger than expected with Paul George missing most of the season. Terance is an ideal playoff-level role player, and the Clippers having him under contract for three more years is great news for him and the team.

Randi Geffner: B

Terance didn’t have a breakout season, but to be honest I think his grade suffered due to unreasonably high expectations that he would somehow play every game like it was the epic Game 6 of the 2021 Utah series.  Setting aside those unrealistic expectations, Terance delivered a pretty solid season, particularly considering how young he is and how crazy and unpredictable the lineups were due to Covid and injuries.  Most of the time he could be counted on to bring passion and energy when the lineup was lagging, which doesn’t always translate into stats but is an intangible benefit to the team.  Looking forward to more growth and energy from Terance!

Leave us your thoughts and grades on the 2022 season of Terance Mann below!

213 Hoops 2022 Season Player Grade Roundtable: Terance Mann
Robert Flom

Our exit interview series at 213 Hoops continues with a look at the 2022 season of third-year guard Terance Mann.

Basic Information

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 215lb

Position: Guard/Forward

Age: 25

Years in the NBA: 3

Key Stats: 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists in 28.6 minutes per game, with shooting splits of 48.4/36.5/78.0

Expectations

Heading into the 2021-22 season, expectations for Terance Mann were very high. He had a very good 2021 regular season and then he kicked it into another gear in the playoffs. He became one of the team’s most dependable players and his career-high 39 points in Game 6 against the Utah Jazz gave fans hopes of the player he could possibly be the following season. 

When he was first drafted, it seemed like he was being groomed as a combo guard who could run the offense. But throughout the season he seemed much more comfortable in an off-ball role and as a scorer when he did have the ball in his hands. 

Reality

In reality, Mann didn’t quite make that leap that was expected of him following his 2021 playoff run. He did average a career-high in points per game with 10.8, but his shooting numbers were down across the board from last season. He just didn’t seem to have that same impact as he did in the prior year and his production kind of fluctuated throughout the season.

His drop off in production though could probably be explained by a couple of things. First off, he was one of the only Clippers to suit up in almost every game (81). With the constant state of flux the roster was in all season, Mann was asked to shoulder more of the load and sort of play out of the role he’s best suited to as a complementary player. 

He did show improvements in a couple of key areas. He was a much more confident three-point shooter from the corners and while his percentages may have been down, that shot looks like one that will be consistently in his arsenal. He also showed more of an ability to put the ball on the floor and hit the midrange pull-up jumper. Defensively, he was one of the team’s best weak side shot blockers as a wing.

Future With Clippers

Mann recently signed a contract extension with the Clippers that will take him through the 2024-25 season. The first year of the extension doesn’t kick in until the 2023-24 season when his salary will jump from $1,930,681 to $10,576,923. The team clearly views him as a part of the future and he’s been one of their draft successes. With everyone healthy next season, he’ll go back to the role that he’s comfortable in and we should see a much more consistent Terance Mann than we did in 2022.

Clippers 2022 Season Exit Interview: Terance Mann
David Yapkowitz