All the buzz on Keaton Wagler’s NBA Draft stock
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Your guide to all the rumors and news surrounding Wagler ahead of the draft.
With the NBA Draft now under a week away, that means that information is starting to leak and teams are starting to hone in on who they want to select on June 23.
One of the names that’s been garnering a lot of attention is one that’s near and dear to Illini fans’s hearts, Keaton Wagler.
NBA insiders, journalists and media professionals alike have been putting out reports of all shapes and sizes about Wagler while trying to predict where he may end up.
And it doesn’t seem like the kid from Shawnee, Kansas, is shying away from the spotlight either, as he even made a recent appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Let’s take a look at all the buzz surrounding Keaton Wagler before the NBA Draft.
Keaton Wagler on SportsCenter
On June 22, Wagler joined SportsCenter for an interview about his college basketball journey and what he’s bringing to the next level.
And yes, later in the show he did dispel the rumors that he can’t dunk.
"Just different ways to use my body, use my length, offensively and defensively. … From the smallest stages to the biggest stages, I can compete with anyone."
Keaton Wagler joins SportsCenter and talks about what he learned in college and will carry to the NBA 🏀 pic.twitter.com/lgyEn9KGQT
, SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 17, 2026
Wagler connected to the Los Angeles Clippers
Top-five Keaton?
According to The Ringer’s NBA insider Zach Lowe, the Los Angeles Clippers have been connected with drafting Wagler with their No. 5 selection.
Should this happen, he would be the highest selected Illinois player since Deron Williams went third overall to the Utah Jazz in 2003.
There’s a ton of buzz connecting Keaton Wagler to the Clippers at No. 5 overall, per @ZachLowe_NBA.
Los Angeles will have their pick of the best available prospect after the consensus top-four is taken. pic.twitter.com/nSrL0bQU8b
, Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 14, 2026
Wagler cancels workouts with team past No. 5
Kevin O’Connor, NBA insider for Yahoo Sports, reported that both Keaton Wagler dropped out of a workout with the Brooklyn Nets, who currently hold the No. 6 pick.
Whether this means that Wagler has high hopes of being selected by a team with a top-four pick, the Clippers have already promised to take him if he’s available or if it means absolutely nothing, it’s an interesting piece of information nonetheless.
O’Connor mentioned both Wagler and guard Kingston Flemings, who according to reports across social media competed against one another in a workout in Los Angeles.
To be clear: Wagler & Flemings didn't drop out of a Nets workout to attend a Bulls workout. They dropped out from the Nets workout after a Bulls workout had happened the week prior.
, Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 11, 2026
Chicago Bulls tied to making a move for Wagler?
According to ClutchPoints and their NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Chicago Bulls just might be interested in trading up for the former Illini.
It wouldn’t be the first time in recent memory that they drafted a guard out of Illinois, as the Bulls drafted Ayo Dosunmu in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Chicago Bulls hold interest in trading up from the No. 15 pick to draft Keaton Wagler, sources told ClutchPoints' @BrettSiegelNBA:
"Rival teams and personnel continue to talk about the Bulls exploring possible avenues to move up from the No. 15 pick, potentially adding… pic.twitter.com/NoJDERIykp
, ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 10, 2026
The suspense and buzz will almost certainly continue to build up around the former Illini as we get closer to drsft night.
And when the time comes, Keaton Wagler will hear his name called in Brooklyn, New York, walk across the stage, shake commissioner Adam Silver’s hand and his NBA dreams will become a reality.