The Los Angeles Clippers walked out of the 2025-26 season with a 42-40 record and a Play-In Tournament exit that stung more than most. A 126-121 loss to the Golden State Warriors ended their year, and for a team that spent months hanging around the playoff picture, that final score felt like a verdict. The roster had holes. One in particular was impossible to ignore.
Darius Garland played at an All-Star level. Kawhi Leonard missed time but still commanded attention when healthy. The problem was everyone else on the perimeter. Teams figured out by midseason that if they trapped Garland in pick-and-rolls, the Clippers had no reliable second option to make them pay. Opponents sold out on the point guard and dared the rest of the rotation to beat them. Too often, nobody could.
That’s where the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft comes in. And why Illinois guard Keaton Wagler looks like the obvious choice.
The fit is almost too clean
Wagler is an elite perimeter shooter who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be dangerous. That alone changes everything for the Clippers. With Garland running the offense from the top of the key, defenses would have to decide: send help and leave Wagler open on the wing, or stay home and give Garland a full runway to operate. That kind of dilemma is what separates good backcourts from nightmares for opponents.
But Wagler isn’t just a spot-up shooter. He can create his own shot when needed, and more importantly, he can create for others. When Garland sits, the Clippers’ offense has a history of turning into a slog. Possessions get sticky. The ball stops moving. Wagler’s ability to read defenses and make quick decisions keeps the offense humming even when the All-Star is on the bench.
Don’t overthink this one
Front offices love to talk themselves into raw upside. The long-armed teenager who might develop in two years. The project who could become something. For a team trying to win now with a core that includes Leonard and Garland, that kind of gamble is a luxury they can’t afford. The Clippers need help right away, and Wagler is ready to contribute immediately.
The Western Conference isn’t getting easier. Every contender has multiple perimeter threats who can create under pressure. The Clippers have to match that blueprint, not outsmart themselves on draft night. Wagler’s shooting, decision-making, and ability to play off another star make him the safest bet in this range.
Building around Garland, not around potential
Garland has shown he can be a franchise cornerstone. The front office’s job now is to put the right pieces around him. Wagler’s game aligns with Garland’s strengths in a way that feels almost designed. He spaces the floor, he thinks the game at a high level, and he doesn’t need volume to be effective. That’s exactly what the Clippers have been missing.
If Wagler is still on the board at pick No. 5, the decision should take about as long as it takes to read the name on the card. Draft the guard who fits. Build the backcourt that works. Let the rest sort itself out.
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