The Clippers’ messy Kawhi Leonard fallout could end up opening a door for Keaton Wagler.
Los Angeles is staring at the loss of five future first-round picks after the Leonard investigation, and that kind of hit changes everything. With draft assets suddenly at a premium, the team could wind up exploring a Darius Garland deal to help restock the cupboard. If that happens, Wagler’s path could get a lot clearer.
The Clippers used the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Wagler, a young 6-foot-6 guard with real upside but plenty still to learn. He can pass, shoot, and score, but he’s still in the early stages of his development. That makes the current setup potentially useful for him, especially if Garland is in front of him for a stretch.
Last year, the Clippers sent James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers to land Garland as part of a move to get younger and, in theory, reset the organization. Garland hasn’t been at his best in recent years, but at his peak he’s an elite playmaker and a solid creator from behind the three-point line. He’s also only 26, so there’s still room for growth.
The timing of Wagler’s arrival matters here. If the Clippers keep Garland around for a bit, Wagler can absorb what he can from an All-Star point guard before eventually being asked to do more. And if Garland is moved in the next year or so, Wagler could be the one who benefits most, stepping into a bigger ball-handling role and being pushed into the fire.
For a player as young as Wagler, that kind of runway could be exactly what the situation calls for.
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Kawhi Leonard Scandal Just Became A Serious Threat For The Clippers
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No charges have been filed, and the case is still unfolding, but the stakes are obvious for a Clippers organization that has spent years trying to build around Leonard as the centerpiece. The investigation is looking at possible violations of federal law, including fraud and tax-related offenses, which means the team is now facing questions that go well beyond basketball and into the kind of legal territory that can shadow a franchise for a long time. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers May Have An Unexpected Path To A Young Center
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Duren and Detroit have until Oct. 1 to work out a new deal, and the longer this drags, the more interesting it gets for teams with future flexibility. If the Pistons center winds up taking a short-term path instead, the door could open for him to hit the market in a way that lines up with the Clippers and whatever cap space they are able to create next summer. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Could Get Another Shot At A First Round Guard
The Clippers offseason guard watch could take an interesting turn if Memphis trims its roster the way it may have to. The Grizzlies have only 15 spots available and may be forced to waive four players, a crunch that has put several names in play, including Walter Clayton Jr., Jordan Hawkins, DAngelo Russell and Kris Murray. Clayton Jr. has already made a strong impression as a rookie, and Jake Fischer floated the idea that if he becomes available, Los Angeles should look into bringing him in on a training camp deal.
It would not be the first time the Clippers had a reason to circle Clayton Jr. as a target. He was a first-round pick in 2025, and the draft board had him on Los Angeles radar earlier than where he ultimately landed. If Memphis decides to move on from him, the Clippers could get another crack at a guard they once had their eye on, with the only real question being whether the opportunity reaches them in time. [Read more 🡒]