The Los Angeles Clippers’ 2026 offseason has already been defined by loss and fallout, from Kawhi Leonard’s departure to the penalties that came out of the NBA’s salary cap investigation. Even so, the team may have found a reason to feel better about what comes next.
That reason is Keaton Wagler.
Selected fifth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft out of Illinois, the 19-year-old guard has quickly become a name to watch in Clippers camp. He was already seen as an important backcourt fit alongside Darius Garland, but his early work has pushed the conversation further. Kris Dunn, who has spent time around the rookie in pickup runs and at camp, said Wagler has stood out from the jump.
“Yeah, you know, me and Keaton, we kind of built a relationship just off being genuine. You know, I didn’t come in being like, ‘I’m a mentor to Keaton.’
No, I don’t do things like that. I just got to play a lot with him in pickup.
One thing I learned about Keaton is that he processes things very fast. He’s got a very high IQ and he’s been playing really well.
So I’ve played him in California, and even in training yesterday, I think he played well.”
Dunn also stressed the importance of what happens between the ears, not just what shows up on the stat sheet.
“My main thing for him is just making sure that your mental [state] is good. You know, I tell him this all the time.
You know, I have great games, good games, and bad games. But the thing that I need to be consistent with is your mental [state], your approach, and your preparation; your routine is going to be good.”
Asked later if anyone had really popped in the opening stretch of camp, Dunn didn’t hesitate to circle Wagler again.
“Like I said, he processes things really, really quickly. He’s been shooting the ball really well.
He’s really good in the pick-and-roll. He’s able to get, you know, his teammates involved, and then defensively, he’s been able to hold his own.
He made a lot of great plays yesterday, and I saw him make great plays in pickup when we were in California. You know, I understand why they picked you.
He’s why.”
The praise hasn’t stopped with Dunn. Head coach Tyronn Lue also signaled that Wagler is going to get chances to work on the ball and grow into the offense.
“A lot of opportunities. Because he’s a great pick-and-roll player.
Just mixing it up when he’s bringing it up the floor, when he’s catching the ball with a live dribble, and when he’s running pick-and-rolls. Just give him different looks.
We know he’s a great pick-and-roll player, so we want to make sure we use him the right way.”
That focus on pick-and-roll work fits with what both Dunn and Lue have already emphasized. The Clippers have Garland in place to run the show, but Wagler’s ability to develop as a secondary creator could give the team another layer if he keeps trending this way.
His college numbers help explain why the Clippers took him so high. In his freshman season at Illinois, Wagler put up 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 44.5% from the field and 39.7% from three.
He then carried that scoring touch into the Las Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 18.0 points per game. The rest of the line was less polished, though, with his rebounding at 3.2 RPG, his playmaking at 2.7 APG, and his shooting at 38.6% from the field and 33.3% from deep.
For now, the message from inside the building is clear: Wagler has already made a strong impression, and the Clippers are planning to put the ball in his hands.
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