The Los Angeles Clippers just made their intentions clear, and Keaton Wagler is suddenly sitting at the center of it all.
When the Clippers used the No. 5 overall pick on the former Illini guard, they were already in the middle of a roster shift. A lot of the talent had been moved out, and one major name was still hanging around. On Tuesday, that final piece is on the move.
ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that Los Angeles is trading Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors.
In the deal, the Clippers are landing Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks.
What stands out most is what this says about Wagler. The Clippers are not building around Leonard anymore. They’re all-in on Wagler, and he’s no longer the sidekick in this setup.
This trade also seems to suit Wagler better than Leonard did. Ingram wants to push the pace and operate near the basket, and that should pair cleanly with Wagler’s knack for creating open shots for teammates.
The Clippers also add another shooter in Dick. He didn’t get much of a chance to show what he can do with the Raptors, but now he can bring his three-point touch to a team that will badly need it.
Los Angeles does have the outline of a solid roster around Wagler, but it still needs a few more pieces.
Wagler and Darius Garland are projected to be the starting backcourt next season, and that has the look of a strong pairing that can handle a little bit of everything.
Up front, Brook Lopez and Ingram give the Clippers a frontcourt that makes sense together.
On the wing, Los Angeles has options with Ben Mathurin, Derrick Jones or Dick.
The bigger concern is depth. The second unit is thin, and that’s a problem. The Clippers could also use more shooting around Wagler.
Even so, don’t be shocked if this group is respectable in 2026-27. A record above .500 and a run at a playoff spot feels very much in play.
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Keaton Wagler Is Facing The Same Disrespect All Over Again
Keaton Wagler is already feeling the familiar slight that comes with being a high draft pick expected to prove it all over again. Taken No. 5 overall, the former Illinois standout has still been pushed down to seventh in DraftKings early NBA Rookie of the Year odds at +2500, a spot that says as much about the crowded race as it does about how the market views his chances.
For Wagler, though, the path to a louder rookie season may be better than the odds suggest. He landed with the Clippers, where opportunity can change quickly, and his situation could look even different if the roster shifts around him. A strong rookie year will still require him to beat a long list of peers in a race that is already shaping up to be crowded. [Read more 🡒]
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New NCAA Rule Could Quietly Change Everything For Illinois Football And Basketball
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For Illinois, the change landed in a way that should feel familiar rather than surprising, since Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood both backed the idea as it moved through the process. The bigger question now is how the Illini will manage the long-term impact on football and basketball rosters, where the new structure could quietly alter everything from depth planning to how much patience teams can afford with younger players. [Read more 🡒]