Coming out of the All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers' lineup will look much different than we are accustomed to seeing. Following some extra rest to nurse a hamstring injury suffered earlier in the year, James Harden is expected to make his debut with the Sixers this week.

Since the Sixers pulled up this mega-deal at the trade deadline, many have been discussing possible changes when it comes to rotations. The main question involves the starting lineup. More importantly, who should Doc Rivers put in that fifth starting slot.

Tyrese Maxey, Harden, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid are all locks. Some have speculated sliding Maxey to the bench upon Harden's arrival, but that seems unlikely. When it comes to the wing position, Rivers' options are either Danny Green or Matisse Thybulle. Throughout the year both players have had their chances to run with the starters.

There is no denying they each have a case for being the fifth starter, but permanently inserting Thybulle still makes the most sense. Even with his offensive limitations, the five-man group of Maxey/Harden/Thybulle/Harris/Embiid is the best unit Rivers can throw out on the floor late in games.

When the bright lights of the postseason come on, the Sixers will need Thybulle to be on the floor for extended minutes. There are a plethora of elite perimeter players to go through in the Eastern Conference, and he is the Sixers' only answer to slowing them down. Not to discredit Green, but he is not equipped to be the primary defender on the opponent's top player at this stage of his career.

Along with giving Harden time to get comfortable with the lineup, the Sixers must use the remaining schedule to find ways to maximize Thybulle on offense. If he can produce anywhere from nine to 12 points a game, it will easily allow him to stay on the floor for longer spurts.

Between transition buckets and off-ball movement, there are ways to get Thybulle the looks he needs to be effective on that end of the floor. Now that the Sixers have an elite pick-and-roll threat in Harden, we might also see the defensive specialist used as a screener.

At the end of the day defenses are going to sag off whoever Rivers puts out there. Come the postseason opposing coaches will be throwing the kitchen sink at the All-Star duo in hopes of slowing them down. Cutting lanes will be open for Thybulle. He just has to maintain the habit of taking them when they're there.

Green's ability to space the floor gives him a slight edge, but Thybulle's ability to be a game-changer with his defense makes him the obvious choice for the Sixers. Only time will tell what Rivers decides to do as he prepares for the second postseason run of his Philadelphia tenure.