Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Struggles with shot off bench
Rotowire
Wagler finished with 11 points (3-12 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT), four assists and two steals across 23 minutes during Tuesday's 133-110 loss to Phoenix.
Wagler scored in double digits off the bench, but it came on an inefficient 3-for-12 shooting from the field, including 1-for-7 from deep. The rookie did chip in on the defensive end with a pair of steals, though he failed to record a rebound despite logging 23 minutes. Shooting inconsistencies are to be expected from a first-year player, and while he has the talent to grow into a larger role, Wagler isn't a must-roster player outside of dynasty formats at this stage.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Provides spark off bench
Rotowire
Wagler ended Wednesday's 117-116 overtime loss to the Heat with 11 points (3-6 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes.
All three of Wagler's made field goals came from beyond the arc, and he posted a team-best plus-15 in limited action. This was only the second time the rookie failed to play at least 20 minutes, but he snapped a two-game drought of not scoring in double figures. Over his first eight regular-season games, Wagler has averaged 12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 23.9 minutes per game off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Struggles with shot in loss
Rotowire
Wagler finished Friday's 127-101 loss to the Timberwolves with 12 points (2-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 7-8 FT), six rebounds and three assists over 25 minutes.
Wagler has been extremely consistent with the good and the bad in the early stages of the season. While he has scored in double digits in each of his five outings so far, he's also struggled with his shot on a regular basis and is currently making just 28.6 percent of his shots and 35.7 percent of his threes. Wagler should continue to play off the bench until he shoots more efficiently, and right now, he's a potential waiver-wire option for managers looking for points without worrying about low percentages.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Drops team-high 21 off bench in loss
Rotowire
Wagler closed with 21 points (4-15 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 10-12 FT), four rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 28 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 103-87 loss to the Lakers.
The rookie guard led the Clippers in scoring on the night as he topped 20 points for the first time. The fifth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Wagler is doing most of his damage from three-point range so far, averaging 15.0 points, 4.3 boards, 3.5 assists and 2.3 threes in four games while shooting 39.1 percent from beyond the arc, but just 31.6 percent overall from the floor.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Not starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Wagler is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Kings, Farbod Esnaashari of SI.com reports.
Wagler will come off the bench to begin his NBA career, but he should still see quality minutes with Max Strus (foot) and Bradley Beal (knee) out. The Clippers selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, so he should be a big part of their plans this season.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Still operating off bench
Rotowire
Wagler recorded nine points (3-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two assists and one rebound in 23 minutes during Saturday's 114-106 preseason loss to the Raptors.
Even with Max Strus (foot), Brandon Ingram (Achilles) and Bradley Beal (knee) sidelined, Wagler is still coming off the bench during the preseason. The 2026 No. 5 overall pick has shown flashes in a Clippers uniform, but consistency remains his biggest flaw ahead of his rookie season.
Wagler totaled 15 points (3-15 FG, 1-11 3Pt, 8-9 FT), six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in 30 minutes during Sunday's 104-101 preseason win over the Warriors.
Wagler struggled badly from beyond the arc in his preseason debut, but the No. 5 overall pick still filled the stat sheet and knocked down the go-ahead jumper with 14 seconds remaining. The rookie's team-high 30 minutes are encouraging, though he'll face plenty of competition for touches in a veteran-heavy Clippers rotation.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Poised to handle ball often
Rotowire
Head coach Ty Lue said Wednesday the Clippers are going to give Wagler a lot of on-ball opportunities, per Joey Linn of SI.com.
With Brandon Ingram (Achilles) sidelined to begin the season, Los Angeles is already short on proven playmakers beyond Darius Garland. Bradley Beal (knee) appears ticketed for a reserve role, meaning Wagler has a chance to be the team's second scoring option behind Garland while Ingram is sidelined and carries plenty of upside in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Scores 26 points in SL win
Rotowire
Wagler closed with 26 points (9-19 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block across 28 minutes in Friday's 128-120 Summer League win over the Timberwolves.
Wagler sat out Wednesday's win over the Wizards for rest purposes but returned to action in the Clippers' Summer League finale. The rookie out of Illinois didn't have his most efficient game from beyond the arc but was solid from two-point range en route to a game-high 26 points. He'll now look toward his rookie campaign, during which he's expected to play a sizable role alongside Darius Garland.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Not playing Wednesday
Rotowire
Wagler (rest) has been ruled out for Wednesday's Summer League game against the Wizards, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Wagler will get a break after playing in each of the Clippers' first three games of the Summer League, and his next chance to play is Friday against the Timberwolves. The No. 5 overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, Wagler figures to start alongside Darius Garland in the backcourt for the 2026-27 season. Wagler averaged 17.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 33.9 minutes per game last year with Illinois.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Scores 23 points with four assists
Rotowire
Wagler contributed 23 points (6-16 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four assists, one rebound and one steal over 28 minutes during Sunday's 104-82 Las Vegas Summer League win over the Jazz.
While Wagler struggled to finish inside the arc, he found his stroke from deep and led the Clippers in both points and three-pointers in the blowout win. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has yet to truly break out in Las Vegas, but he'll get another chance Tuesday against the Lakers.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Struggles in Summer League
Rotowire
Wagler logged seven points (1-7 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds and one assist in 27 minutes during Thursday's 91-85 Summer League loss to Sacramento.
The No. 5 overall pick couldn't get his jumper going but continued to receive plenty of on-ball opportunities as the Clippers prioritized his development. With the Clippers moving on from Kawhi Leonard, Wagler has the opportunity to start Opening Night next to Darius Garland.
... See More... See Less
Clippers' Keaton Wagler: Taken by LAC at No. 5
Rotowire
Wagler was selected by the Clippers with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Wagler caps off a meteoric rise over the past year, transitioning from an unheralded four-star recruit into a top-5 selection after a spectacular freshman season at Illinois. The 19-year-old guard was the centerpiece of the Fighting Illini offense, taking home Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Jerry West Award honors while averaging 17.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest. A creative 6-foot-6 playmaker with deep, lethal perimeter range, Wagler proved his ceiling in marquee moments -- most notably dropping a historic 46 points in a road win at Purdue and logging 20 points and eight boards in a Final Four matchup against UConn. He should make an immediate impact for the Clippers this season.
