During a season where expectations for the Los Angeles Clippers will be at a minimum for most, the rookie campaign of fifth overall pick Keaton Wagler will be a storyline to monitor. The guard from Illinois will join the LA backcourt alongside two-time All-Star Darius Garland as the Clippers begin a new era with an entirely revamped roster.
The 19-year-old appeared in all three preseason games, averaging 12 points, three rebounds and four assists. His shooting splits improved throughout each of the contests, culminating in a 12-point showing against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, in which he shot 4-for-9 (3-for-7 from three).
Wagler spoke about the lessons he learned throughout his first preseason after LA’s 122-110 victory over Denver, where he earned his only start of the three games.
“Just being ready for each moment,” Wagler said. “When you get out there, you have to play as hard as you can, offensively and defensively. You’re not always going to have the ball in your hands, so you have to be able to impact the game [in] different ways.”
Garland shared his thoughts on Wagler getting the start and how it helped benefit the team.
“It was good. I’m happy for him to get a home start…He helps a lot bringing the ball up,” Garland said.
Wagler’s role will be worth watching closely, particularly given how crowded the guard rotation figures to be. With Garland, Kris Dunn, Gradey Dick, Kobe Sanders and Bradley Beal all slated to be in the mix, minutes won’t be handed out freely. Garland’s comments on his ability to bring the ball up the floor hint at one way he’ll effectively be able to carve out a niche: as a steady, low-maintenance ball handler who helps ease the load on other guards and provides spot-up shooting ability.
He’s a player who understands that role and will be willing to embrace it. Acknowledging that he won’t always have the ball in his hands is a mature outlook for a 19-year-old who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and it suggests his eagerness to contribute both through defense and playmaking. That adaptability could prove especially valuable on a roster that will be searching to find its identity throughout the early stages of the season.
Three-point shooting will be the swing skill. His 3-for-7 night from deep against the Nuggets was a small sample size, but it showcased what he can offer alongside Garland and the rest of the Clippers’ roster if the jumper holds up over a full season.
At Illinois, he converted from long range at a 39.7% rate, leading the Fighting Illini all the way to the Final Four in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. His four assists a night in the preseason also hint at a feel for the game that should translate as he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the NBA.
Expectations for LA may be modest amidst a stretch of time that the team looks to put behind it, but that could work in Wagler’s favor. With less pressure on the win-loss column, he’ll have room to make mistakes, learn on the fly and show the franchise why he was selected fifth overall.
For a team in a strange period of transition, his growth may be the most compelling story of the year.