Clippers Face Critical Decision at No. 5 in 2026 NBA Draft: Betting on Keaton Wagler
As the New York Knicks celebrate their championship season, attention shifts to the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft scheduled for Tuesday in Brooklyn. This year's draft class is touted as one of the strongest in recent memory, featuring a top tier of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson expected to fill the first four spots. The spotlight will be on the Los Angeles Clippers, who hold the No. 5 overall pick—their first top-five selection since Blake Griffin in 2009. The Clippers, benefiting from a favorable trade with Indiana, now have the opportunity to either rebuild or trade the pick for a veteran player as they grapple with the future of Kawhi Leonard, who is entering the final year of his contract. Key points for the Clippers include: Darius Garland, acquired from Cleveland, averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 assists in his first 19 games with Los Angeles. The draft features four top point guard prospects: Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Mikel Brown Jr. Keaton Wagler, at 6-foot-6, holds significant potential and is projected with odds of +310 to be the fifth pick, despite being less heralded in high school. The Clippers may not need another point guard, but if they choose to draft one, they could opt for a larger player like Wagler, who has shown impressive capabilities by winning the Jerry West Award as the nation's top shooting guard and leading his team to the Final Four. As the draft approaches, speculation suggests that if the Clippers remain at No. 5, they might lean towards either Wagler or Brown, with a stronger likelihood for Wagler given his competitive odds.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-06-18