Clippers NBA Draft pick grade: LA selects Keaton Wagler

The L.A. Clippers selected Illinois guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in New York.

The 6-foot-6, 185-pound guard helped lead Illinois to a Final Four appearance this past season.

“I definitely learned a lot,” Wagler told ESPN. “Different ways to use my body, use my length offensively and defensively. I can compete with anyone on any stage.”

The consensus All-American averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 37 games played. 

 Wagler says he's studied several players, including Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. 

“I think I play a little like him with my passing ability, my shooting ability and I can make the right reads,” Wagler told ESPN.

It's the franchise’s highest draft selection since picking Oklahoma's Blake Griffin with the No. 1 overall pick in 2009.

While the center position could still be considered the team's biggest need, the Clippers' front office decided to go with the player they felt was the best available.

It remains unclear what the potential playing time may look like for the incoming rookie, considering the team had acquired Darius Garland from the Cleveland Cavaliers before the trade deadline this past season.

The team will also have the 36th and 52nd overall picks during the second round when the draft resumes on Wednesday.

Clippers draft grade

Wagler was a consensus second-team All-American, who now adds needed depth at guard for the Clippers. He scored 46 points against Purdue this past season, setting a Big Ten freshman scoring record.

He also won the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award.

"(Wagler) is a high-level shooter, ballhandler and passer with positional size," said Lawrence Frank, the Clippers president of basketball operations. "He is a high-IQ player with a great feel who makes smart decisions and winning plays, whether he’s on offense, defense or the glass. He approaches the game the right way."

Wagler led Illinois in both scoring and assists while ranking third in rebounds (5.1 per game).

Grade: B+

Status of Clippers' roster

Frank will still have moves to make beyond the draft. The team made an effort to get younger during the year and finished out the regular season with a 42-40 record after a 6-21 start.

The Clippers' season came to an end after a 126-121 loss to the Golden State Warriors during the Play-In Tournament on April 15.

The Clippers acquired Tuesday's first-round pick after trading big man Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers ahead of the trade deadline in early February. James Harden was also sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The status of the team’s current superstar, Kawhi Leonard, could look different during the offseason, as well.

If there’s any interest in the team continuing to get younger and a willingness to move on from Leonard, they would need to find a team that is willing to gamble on what the star’s status could be.

The NBA is investigating team owner Steve Ballmer, Leonard and his uncle/advisor Dennis Robertson.

All three men were allegedly involved in a “no-show” agreement with a company, Aspiration, to funnel extra compensation to the player as part of a salary cap circumvention.

A law firm has been tasked with running the investigation and will deliver its findings to NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Silver would then decide on any potential discipline.

“I think we are close to the point now where I think we need to wrap this up, because you also need finality,” Silver told reporters during a press conference on June 3. “The team has to understand what situation they are going to be operating under and so do the other 29 teams."

Clippers' key free agents

Following the draft, the Clippers will have some decisions to make during the offseason.

L.A. will have the option to pick up Bogdan Bogdanović's $16 million option for the upcoming season.

Bennedict Mathurin will become a restricted free agent, while John Collins will be an unrestricted free agent.

Bradley Beal will have the opportunity to make his own decision because of his player option. He has a $5.6 million player option for the 2026-27 season. He signed a two-year, $11 million contract in July 2025.