LA Teams Rebuild
Clippers Draft Wagler, Sign Hachimura as Lakers Reshape Roster for New Season
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Key Points
1
Wagler was an All-Big Ten and All-American as a freshman at Illinois, averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game and he will turn 20 in February.
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In the 2025-26 playoffs, Rui Hachimura posted 17.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting over 50 percent from three.
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Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers, with the second season including a team option, and he moved toward the Clippers after an early understanding in free agency and a previously discussed sign-and-trade with the Lakers.
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The Lakers have reshaped their roster by adding Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton and Jaden Hardy, while also re-signing Austin Reaves and moving on from cap hold rights.
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Keaton Wagler was announced as the No. 5 pick for the Clippers at the Barclays Center, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver formally announcing the selection.
The Los Angeles Clippers made two splashy moves this offseason: drafting Illinois guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and signing Rui Hachimura to a two-year, $28 million deal. Hachimura spent three and a half seasons with the crosstown Lakers before agreeing to join their rivals, according to LeBron Wire.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are rebuilding around a new core. They added Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, and Jaden Hardy while re-signing Austin Reaves. Both LA franchises are pivoting hard heading into the 2026-27 season.
Hachimura Crosses Town After Playoff Breakout
Hachimura had his best postseason yet before leaving the Lakers. He averaged 17.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in the 2025-26 playoffs. He shot over 50 percent from three-point range. Those numbers made him one of the most attractive wings on the free-agent market, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Clippers pushed hard to land him. They first tried to arrange a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, but that deal fell through, LeBron Wire reported. Hachimura still chose to sign outright with Los Angeles's other team. His two-year contract includes a team option on the second season, giving the Clippers flexibility.
Lakers Let Hachimura Walk, Reshaping Their Cap Space
The Lakers chose not to fight to keep Hachimura. They released his cap hold and free-agency rights. That move removed their ability to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him. It was a clean break, according to TWSN.
In his place, Los Angeles added a wave of new pieces. Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili joined the frontcourt and backcourt mix. Walker Kessler adds size and shot-blocking. Re-signing Austin Reaves was a top priority and the Lakers got that done. The roster looks very different heading into next season.
Clippers Bet Big on 19-Year-Old Wagler at No. 5
The Clippers' other big move came at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Keaton Wagler as the fifth overall pick. Wagler, a guard out of Illinois, was an All-Big Ten and All-American selection as a freshman, per CBS Sports.
His numbers as a freshman were hard to ignore. Wagler averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He will not turn 20 until February. The Clippers, who previously moved on from veterans Kawhi Leonard and John Collins, are now leaning into youth, according to SportsGrid.
Clippers Fill a Frontcourt Need, but Depth Questions Linger
Adding Hachimura gives the Clippers a starting-caliber forward who can shoot and score. That fills a clear gap left by their recent roster moves. He stretches the floor and gives them a proven playoff performer, CBS Sports noted.
But questions remain about their frontcourt depth. Rebounding and shot-blocking at center are still concerns. Wagler is a guard, not a big. The Clippers have improved their perimeter talent, but their path forward in the paint is still unclear as the broader free-agent market stays active, per SportsGrid.
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