This Tuesday, June 23, at 8:00 PM ET, the 2026 NBA Draft gets underway in Brooklyn, New York.
The Los Angeles Clippers are facing a decision that could shape the franchise’s future. Holding the fifth overall pick, the organization will have the opportunity to select one of the top talents available in this year’s draft class.
A Roller Coaster L.A. Clippers 2025-26 Season
After another disappointing season in which Kawhi Leonard‘s team failed to reach the playoffs. Largely due to Bradley Beal‘s injury and ongoing locker-room issues.
Luck finally smiled on the Clippers. They landed the fifth overall pick in the draft lottery, the highest pick they have had since the selection of Blake Griffin.
At the 2026 trade deadline, Los Angeles moved one of its longest-tenured players, sending big man Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers. In that deal, Clippers acquired Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, Indiana’s 2029 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and the Pacers’ 2026 first-round pick, protected for selections 1-4 and 10-30.
Despite the heavy protections, the lottery worked in L.A.’s favor, giving them the No. 5 pick. With this selection, the franchise will look to strengthen its roster and continue competing around Kawhi Leonard, as owner Steve Ballmer remains committed to building a contender team around the superstar following his impressive season.
What Positions Do the Clippers Need to Address?
After trading away Ivica Zubac, L.A. needs a starting-caliber center. Brook Lopez is no longer capable of consistently handling a starting role, and at 38, he is not a long-term solution.
Yanic Konan Niederhäuser showed flashes of potential last season, but he is still not ready to be a full-time starter. Additionally, he is expected to miss the beginning of next season after suffering a Lisfranc injury to his right foot.
Unfortunately for the Clippers, while this draft class is loaded with talent, it lacks elite center prospects. The highest-ranked big man is Spanish center Aday Mara, who could potentially be selected somewhere in the top ten.
What Should the Clippers Do?
Many rumors suggested that the Clippers could trade down, select Mara, and acquire additional assets to help strengthen the roster. However, that scenario currently appears unlikely.
In a draft filled with talent, the most logical approach is to select the best player available and build around that player moving forward. That appears to be the direction Los Angeles is leaning toward.
Which Prospect Fits the Clippers Best?
Several prospects have been linked to the Clippers and have reportedly participated in private workouts with the team. According to reports, the players projected to go in or around the top ten who have worked out for Los Angeles include Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries, Nate Ament, and Yaxel Lendeborg.
Despite having a tremendous opportunity in this draft, L.A. faces a major dilemma: should they select a player who fits alongside Darius Garland in the backcourt, or draft the best player available regardless of fit?
The Clippers’ Draft Dilemma
Selecting the player who best complements the current roster could lead the Clippers to choose Keaton Wagler, a 6-foot-5 guard whose size would help alleviate some of the defensive concerns in a Garland-led backcourt.
Another possibility remains trading down and selecting Aday Mara to fill the team’s need for a starting center. Brayden Burries has also emerged as a strong candidate after an impressive private workout, according to Jake Fischer.
The alternative — and the option many believe is the best one — would be selecting the most talented player available at No. 5.
If that is the route L.A. chooses, Darius Acuff Jr. would likely be the favorite. The 6-foot-3 point guard possesses tremendous offensive upside and scoring potential, although he remains a liability on the defensive end.
Acuff’s skill set and playing style are strikingly similar to those of Darius Garland, and that is precisely the challenge. While the duo could form one of the most explosive offensive backcourts in the NBA, they would likely struggle defensively. In today’s NBA, it is difficult to envision a championship-caliber team built around two undersized guards.
For a Clippers team with Kawhi Leonard entering the final year of his contract and Darius Garland having dealt with consistency issues due to injuries, despite his strong production since arriving in Los Angeles, the best course of action may be to draft the best talent available and figure out the rest later.
At that point, the organization must trust its coaching staff and front office to find a way to maximize the roster and make the pieces fit together.
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