OGNSC Staff | Los Angeles News Observer
The 2026 NBA Draft delivered big news for both of Los Angeles’ professional basketball franchises Tuesday night, as the Clippers secured one of the most promising guard prospects in this deep draft class and the Lakers made a savvy move to land an athletic wing they believe can help reshape their roster.
The Los Angeles Clippers, picking fifth overall — a selection they acquired through a midseason trade that sent center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers — chose Keaton Wagler, a 6-foot-6 guard out of the University of Illinois. The pick is the highest the Clippers have made since selecting Blake Griffin with the top pick in 2009.
Wagler, a one-and-done freshman who was barely recruited out of high school in Shawnee, Kan., turned in one of the most remarkable single-season rises in recent college basketball history. He averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 44.5 percent from the floor and 39.7 percent from three. He won the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and led Illinois to the program’s first Final Four since 2005 — scoring a game-high 25 points in the Elite Eight win over Iowa.
“He is a high-level shooter, ballhandler and passer with positional size,” said Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank. “He is a high-IQ player with a great feel who makes smart decisions and winning plays, whether he’s on offense, defense or the glass. He approaches the game the right way.”
Wagler joins a Clippers backcourt that already features All-Star point guard Darius Garland, acquired at the February trade deadline from Cleveland. Analysts see the pairing as a natural fit — Garland as the primary ball-handler, Wagler as a high-efficiency secondary option who can hurt defenses off the ball.
Meanwhile, across town, the Los Angeles Lakers wasted little time making their move. Entering the night with the 25th pick, the Lakers sent cash considerations to the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks to move up one slot and select Cameron Carr, a 21-year-old guard out of Baylor University, at No. 24.
Carr had a breakout 2025-26 campaign for the Bears, averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc. He put on arguably the best performance at the NBA Draft Combine this spring, posting 30 points in a scrimmage and ranking second in lane agility and top-three in vertical leap.
At 6-foot-4 with a reported 7-foot wingspan, Carr profiles as the three-and-D wing the Lakers have been targeting. His combination of length, shooting range, cutting ability and athleticism drew comparisons to Spurs guard Devin Vassell — who helped lead San Antonio to the NBA Finals this past season.
“We wanted to get better athletes,” Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka said during his exit interview this spring. “Carr fits that archetype,” noted one analyst. Tuesday’s pick was a clear statement of intent from a franchise still searching for its identity heading into next season.
The Clippers also hold the 36th and 52nd picks in Wednesday night’s second round. The Lakers surrendered their second-round pick as part of the Carr trade. Both LA franchises will now turn their attention to free agency, with a busy offseason ahead.