With the 2026 NBA Draft coming up in less than two weeks, there are so many options for Illinois basketball guard Keaton Wagler.
Wagler is a lock to go in the top 10, but what teams are going to see this kid and want him in their backcourt for years to come? That is the big question that will float out there until the Illini star is finally selected.
I already went through the top three teams that I want Wagler to avoid in the draft, but there are also some great options that could pick him in that top 10.
Here are the top three NBA Draft landing spots where Keaton Wagler will thrive the most
No. 3 – Dallas Mavericks
It might take them moving up in the draft or Wagler dropping a little bit, but a great option for the Illinois star is the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks have the No. 9 pick on June 23. That is due to them being pretty bad the last couple of seasons. They have only had one winning record in the last four years, and they shipped off, arguably, the best player in the league in Luka Doncic.
Dallas’ future is bright, though. They have Cooper Flagg, who could easily become the face of the NBA. They have some good pieces on the roster, but more importantly, they aren’t tied down by big contracts, and Khris Middleton’s contract expired, freeing up over $35 million.
Kyrie Irving is coming off an injury, and he probably can’t shoulder a full load on the court anymore. He is one of the most skilled players in the game, and he could help Wagler get acclimated to the NBA life.
I love the thought of Wagler throwing lobs to Flagg, too. That could quickly form into one of the best one-two combos in the NBA. The Mavericks also have good role players around them.
Dallas needs a point guard and just more guard help in general. Wagler would be a great pick for them. Moving up a spot or two to snag him would be a good idea for the franchise.
No. 2 – Los Angeles Clippers
In the 1990s and 2000s, the Los Angeles Clippers were a dumpster fire, but I believe they would be a great option for Wagler.
Out of the last 15 seasons, the Clippers have only missed the playoffs three times. This past season, Los Angeles traded Ivica Zubac and landed a top-four protected first round pick. That pick ended up being the No. 5 pick, so the Clippers got to keep it.
That pick could end up being used on Wagler. There is only one issue that might be bad for the Clippers, and that is the impending decision on whether there was cap circumvention. Even if that comes down and there are ramifications, Los Angeles is still a good landing spot.
The Clippers have an owner in Steve Ballmer who cares about winning. He is going to put talent around Wagler each season.
There is potential for Los Angeles to free up some cap room this offseason, too. Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland, Derrick Jones, and Isaiah Jackson are the only locked-in contracts for next season. That leaves a lot of wiggle room for the Clippers to build.
I believe the Clippers need more point guard help. Garland came in last season in a trade, but there is nothing beyond him. That leaves plenty of playing time for Wagler in year one.
Los Angeles has never won an NBA Championship, but they are a serious team. They want to compete, and they put a competitive team out on the court every season. Wagler needs to be a part of that success.
No. 1 – Atlanta Hawks
While this one makes me a little nervous, I think the best landing spot for Wagler in the 2026 NBA Draft is the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks currently have the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and there is a realistic chance that Wagler drops down to that spot. If that ends up being the case, this would be a perfect option for the Illini All-American.
Atlanta traded away their star point guard, Trae Young, this past season, leaving a massive gap in the point guard role on the team. The Hawks were actually better after the trade, winning 46 games and making the playoffs for the fourth time in six seasons.
I like the salary situation for the Hawks, too. CJ McCollum is off the books after this season, so that frees up $30 million. Jalen Johnson is signed for the next three seasons, and he has perennial All-Star written all over him.
There isn’t a ton of talent at the point guard position for the Hawks. Wagler could come in and provide big minutes in year one. This is a spot he could easily start early on and be a big part of another playoff run.
Atlanta isn’t far away from competing in the Eastern Conference. They are the only team to beat the New York Knicks twice this playoffs. Let’s get them a versatile piece in Wagler and see where that takes them in 2026-27.
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