Kris Dunn has been impressed by rookie Keaton Wagler early in Los Angeles Clippers training camp, highlighting the fifth overall pick’s basketball IQ, shooting and ability to make plays on both ends of the floor.
Dunn spoke about Wagler during his media availability Wednesday, September 30, and said the young guard has quickly stood out since the team began working together in California.
“Keaton Wagler,” Dunn said when asked which player had surprised him. “Like I said, he processed things really, really quick. He’s been shooting the ball really well. He’s really good in the pick and roll. He’s able to get his teammates involved and then defensively he’s been able to hold his own.”
Dunn has had an opportunity to see Wagler in both organized practices and pickup games over the past several months. He said the 19-year-old has consistently shown an ability to make good decisions at a fast pace.
“He made a lot of great plays yesterday and I’ve seen him make great plays in pickup when we were in California,” Dunn added.
Wagler joined the Clippers after they selected him No. 5 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, marking the first time in franchise history that Los Angeles made the fifth selection. He arrives after a productive freshman season at Illinois, where he averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 37 games.
Wagler shot 44.5% from the field, 39.7% from three-point range and 79.6% from the free-throw line during the 2025-26 college season. He also made 87 three-pointers on 219 attempts.
Dunn has naturally become one of Wagler’s veteran resources, although the Clippers guard emphasized that he did not approach the relationship as a formal mentorship.
“Me and Keaton, we kind of built a relationship just off of, you know, just being genuine,” Dunn said. “I didn’t come in be like Imma mentor Keaton. Now, I don’t do things like that.”
Instead, their relationship developed through playing together and spending time around the team. Dunn said his primary message to Wagler has been about maintaining consistency in his preparation and mindset.
“My main thing for him is just making sure that your mental is good,” Dunn said. “You’re going to have great games, good games, bad games, but the thing that needs to be consistent is your mental, your approach, your preparation, your routine each and every day.”
Dunn also praised the Clippers’ overall approach entering the season. The team returned early in the summer and continued working together through training camp, something Dunn said he had never previously experienced to this extent.
The Clippers are entering a new era after trading Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors and reshaping the roster around Brandon Ingram and their younger players. With Wagler viewed as an important part of the franchise’s long-term plans, his early progress is drawing attention from veterans such as Dunn.
