Two months ago, Keaton Wagler was a 19-year-old guard from Shawnee, Kansas who barely registered on NBA draft boards. On Tuesday night, he walked across the stage at Barclays Center as the fifth overall pick, shook hands with Adam Silver, and became the cornerstone of the LA Clippers’ next chapter.
The Clippers had options at No. 5. They could have traded down. They could have grabbed a different prospect from the tier behind AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. But when they looked at Wagler — 6-foot-6, three-level scoring, a 39.7 percent three-point shooter with a 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio — they saw a guy who in one season at Illinois went from nobody to AP All-American and Final Four leader. So they pulled the trigger.
Wagler told ClutchPoints after the pick that he never worried about the rankings. He didn’t even have a plan B.
“I just worried about the hard work I put in,” Wagler said. “I found the right situation for me. I took advantage of it. I displayed how good I am. And I worked every single day.”
That work got him from a recruit with two high-major offers to a guy who canceled workouts with teams picking sixth or later. Ten months of that, and suddenly nobody was asking who Keaton Wagler was.
Why the Clippers Love Him
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank made it clear Tuesday night that this wasn’t just about skill. It was about mentality.
“Before we even get to the skill on the court, we wanted to make sure we drafted someone who is obsessed with winning above all else,” Frank said. “Someone who’s extremely hungry and driven to improve. Someone who embodies the work ethic, the resilience, the dedication of everybody who works with the Clippers.”
Frank pointed to Wagler’s positional size, his ability to play on and off the ball, and his basketball IQ as the differentiators. The guy processes the game fast. He doesn’t get sped up under pressure. He averaged 1.8 turnovers per game while handling the ball 33.9 minutes a night as a freshman. That’s rare.
Wagler averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists for Illinois. He dropped 46 on Purdue in January. He led his team to the Final Four. He shot 44.5 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from three. None of that was a fluke.
What he does best, according to Wagler himself, is see the floor and make decisions.
“I think my vision and my passing are underrated,” he said. “The way I see the floor, I process the game faster than other people. My IQ and composure are big. When I get pressured, I don’t fold. I make the right play.”
Fitting In With Kawhi and Garland
Wagler is walking into a Clippers roster that’s retooling around Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland. That backcourt pairing makes sense. Wagler can play off the ball as a catch-and-shoot threat when Garland runs the offense. He can also take over point guard duties when Garland sits. That versatility is exactly why the Clippers drafted him.
“I’d say I’m a point guard and a combo guard,” Wagler said. “Playing alongside Garland will be great. I can play off him and read off his penetration. And when he’s off the ball, I can have it in my hands and make plays. Whatever it takes to win.”
Wagler spent three days in Los Angeles before the draft, working out at the Clippers facility, meeting the front office, and even crossing paths with Garland and Bradley Beal. He said the vibe was genuine from the start.
“They were super genuine and showed a lot of interest,” he said. “They talked to me and my agents a lot. I’m just super excited to get out there.”
There was drama leading up to the pick. Reports floated that the Clippers might trade the selection. Others said they liked Mikel Brown Jr. Wagler went into draft night keeping an open mind, but he knew where he wanted to land.
“I was hoping it would be them,” he said. “I knew for sure about a minute before the pick when my agent gave me a wink. But you can never be too sure until your name gets called.”
Wagler will be officially introduced Wednesday at Intuit Dome. After that, the plan is for him to suit up in Las Vegas Summer League next month. The Clippers have their guy. And he’s ready to work.
Leave a Comment