The Clippers' X-Factor Heading Into the New Season

News ArticlePublishedJul 31, 2026 at 10:22 AM EDTThe Los Angeles Clippers have spent so many years trying to win with veterans, but that approach finally reached its breaking point last season.Sometimes reaching a breaking point is a good thing. Now, the franchise is looking toward the future. That’s where Keaton Wagler comes in.The 19-year-old guard could be the Clippers' x-factor heading into the 2026 season as the team starts building what comes next after the Kawhi Leonard era.Los Angeles hasn't had a top-five pick since selecting Blake Griffin in 2009, so getting a chance to add a young player this high in the draft was a rare opportunity. The Clippers used that opportunity on Wagler, a guard who brings a different type of skill set than the typical high-upside prospect.More news: The