Keaton Wagler drops a big hint about his draft future.
The Los Angeles Clippers are set to pick fifth in the 2026 NBA draft, potentially giving them a big piece to the puzzle as they look to get back to the playoffs.
The Clippers got the pick thanks to the Indiana Pacers, who traded Bennedict Mathurin and their 2026 first round pick to the Clippers in exchange for Ivica Zubac. The Pacers protected the pick 1-4, hoping that lottery luck would be on their side as they bottomed out this past season.
Instead, lottery luck was on the side of the Clippers, and the pick fell to number five, giving the Clippers a much needed lottery pick after they traded much of their immediate draft future to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 to acquire Paul George.
Keaton Wagler Drops A Big Hint
The top four in the NBA draft are pretty set as AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson are most likely going to be the top four picks, though it remains to be seen in what order they go.
The draft really starts at number five with the Clippers, who will have their pick from the next tier of players.
Keoton Wagler is expected to be a top eight pick, and could go as early as number five to the Clippers.
In a pre-draft interview, Wagler said, “I already worked out for Chicago, then I was going to the Clippers. That’s 4 & 5. Hearing from them & knowing where I stood, I knew I didn’t need to work out, but still meeting with teams & talking to them.”
Wagler noted he didn't work out for the Brooklyn Nets, who pick at number six, but did meet with them.
A Smart Move?
Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr, Kingston Flemings, and Darius Acuff Jr are thought to be the next four picks after the first round picks.
Of that group, Wagler is the best fit for the Clippers. All four players are guards, but Wagler has the most size of the bunch. The Clippers acquired Darius Garland at the trade deadline in exchange for James Harden, and look to move forward with the young point guard.
While Garland is talented, he is undersized. Brown Jr, Flemings, and Acuff Jr are also a bit undersized, and pairing two undersized guards, or sending one to the bench, isn't an ideal situation.
Wagler slots in better next to Garland, not only with his size, but with his ability to play off the ball and create for himself and others.
