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On Sunday, the NBA held its lottery for the upcoming draft on June 23rd and 24th, with the results and how they might impact former Illini Keaton Wagler detailed below.
NBA Draft Order
1. Washington Wizards
2. Utah Jazz
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Atlanta Hawks
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
13. Miami Heat
14. Charlotte Hornets
Wagler seems to be getting consistently mocked as the #5 pick at the moment, behind BYU's A.J. Dybantsa, Kansas' Darryn Peterson, Duke's Cameron Boozer and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson.
If that proves to be the case, Wagler would end up with the Los Angeles Clippers, which would be a good basketball fit though I am not a big fan of the organization historically. Of course, beginning a career in L.A. would be quite appealing to Wagler, as would a pairing with guard Darius Garland, a smaller point guard who would allow Wagler to play off ball as well as handle the rock.
In my opinion Wagler will likely not get past the sixth pick. It's a shame Indianapolis had a pick swap with the Clippers as a result of its mid-season trade for Ivica Zubac. Technically, Indiana landed in the five spot, which meant that the pick goes to the Clippers as part of that trade. Wagler would have been an interesting pairing with Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana as the former Illini All-American has been comped to the Pacers' star, both in terms of their games and underrecruited backstories.
Ultimately, I am glad that the Bulls got the fourth pick as it seems unlikely Wagler will end up in Chicago. Personally, Wagler deserves better than a Bulls' organization, even with a new General Manager, that leaves a lot to be desired. While it would be cool to see Wagler in a Bulls' uniform, the novelty would wear off fast, as was the case with Ayo Dosunmu after he was drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.
Similarly, here's hoping Wagler can avoid the Brooklyn Nets, another organization that I don't trust. At the moment the only player I can see jumping Wagler is Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas. If that were to happen, Wagler could land in Brooklyn, a franchise that rarely maximizes the talent of young players.
At this point it looks like Wagler will be a Clipper, though things could change.
Dybantsa is going to be the first pick by the Wizards. While Peterson is getting slotted at number two by the Jazz, I think Caleb Wilson is going to rise and be the pick there. I then see the Grizzlies taking Peterson and the Bulls settling on the safe Cameron Boozer, with Wagler going fifth to the Clippers.
Here's wishing the best for Wagler and fellow Illini Andrej Stojakovic and Kylan Boswell as the NBA Draft combine takes place in Chicago this week.
NBA Draft Order
1. Washington Wizards
2. Utah Jazz
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Atlanta Hawks
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
13. Miami Heat
14. Charlotte Hornets
Wagler seems to be getting consistently mocked as the #5 pick at the moment, behind BYU's A.J. Dybantsa, Kansas' Darryn Peterson, Duke's Cameron Boozer and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson.
If that proves to be the case, Wagler would end up with the Los Angeles Clippers, which would be a good basketball fit though I am not a big fan of the organization historically. Of course, beginning a career in L.A. would be quite appealing to Wagler, as would a pairing with guard Darius Garland, a smaller point guard who would allow Wagler to play off ball as well as handle the rock.
In my opinion Wagler will likely not get past the sixth pick. It's a shame Indianapolis had a pick swap with the Clippers as a result of its mid-season trade for Ivica Zubac. Technically, Indiana landed in the five spot, which meant that the pick goes to the Clippers as part of that trade. Wagler would have been an interesting pairing with Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana as the former Illini All-American has been comped to the Pacers' star, both in terms of their games and underrecruited backstories.
Ultimately, I am glad that the Bulls got the fourth pick as it seems unlikely Wagler will end up in Chicago. Personally, Wagler deserves better than a Bulls' organization, even with a new General Manager, that leaves a lot to be desired. While it would be cool to see Wagler in a Bulls' uniform, the novelty would wear off fast, as was the case with Ayo Dosunmu after he was drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.
Similarly, here's hoping Wagler can avoid the Brooklyn Nets, another organization that I don't trust. At the moment the only player I can see jumping Wagler is Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas. If that were to happen, Wagler could land in Brooklyn, a franchise that rarely maximizes the talent of young players.
At this point it looks like Wagler will be a Clipper, though things could change.
Dybantsa is going to be the first pick by the Wizards. While Peterson is getting slotted at number two by the Jazz, I think Caleb Wilson is going to rise and be the pick there. I then see the Grizzlies taking Peterson and the Bulls settling on the safe Cameron Boozer, with Wagler going fifth to the Clippers.
Here's wishing the best for Wagler and fellow Illini Andrej Stojakovic and Kylan Boswell as the NBA Draft combine takes place in Chicago this week.
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