The Kawhi Leonard contract situation is one of the biggest questions facing the LA Clippers this offseason. Upon being eliminated from playoff contention, the LA Clippers have a number of questions that must be addressed during the offseason. While Leonard’s future will undoubtedly dominate the conversation, the Clippers will also have a significant decision to make in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Holding the fifth overall pick, LA has the rare opportunity to add a young star to a team that has largely been built around veteran talent in recent years. Whether the front office drafts for immediate impact, star potential, or a tradeable asset, the draft will play a significant role in determining the future of the Los Angeles Clippers.
What Is Next For The Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard’s Contract And The 2026 NBA Draft
Kawhi Leonard Contract Concern
What would normally be a straightforward basketball conversation has become something far more delicate. Leonard’s future with the Clippers is now tied with questions around compliance, salary cap integrity, and whether the franchise received an unfair advantage by using a third party to compensate their star player. While the Clippers and Steve Ballmer have denied any wrongdoing, the NBA has opened a formal investigation into the matter, forcing us to question what is next for the franchise that once had championship expectations.
Should the NBA determine that the Clippers circumvented the salary cap, the implications could be franchise-altering. The league could fine the Clippers or strip draft picks, something which could be extremely detrimental to a franchise that does not possess their own first-round pick until 2030. In the worst-case scenario, the NBA could also void Leonard’s contract, which would in turn make him a free agent, reshaping both his future as well as the future of the Clippers.
This would echo the punishments placed upon the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA’s most recent precedent for cap circumvention. In 2000, the NBA found an illegal agreement between Joe Smith and the Timberwolves front office, resulting in voided contracts, the suspension of the owner and general manager, as well as the forfeiture of five first-round picks, two of which were later returned. While the Clippers case differs in some respects, the Minnesota case highlights how aggressively the NBA may act when it believes a team has circumvented the salary cap.
For now, the Clippers’ best option may be to allow the NBA to reach a conclusion on the Aspiration investigation; any long-term decision comes with uncertainty. Despite this, if the investigation finds no wrongdoing, Leonard’s impressive season could still give the franchise a valuable path forward, with them exploring a trade to a contender willing to bet on Leonard’s championship pedigree. This would allow the franchise to prioritize its younger assets, including Darius Garland, Benedict Mathurin, and Yanic Konan Neiderhauser.
The 2026 NBA Draft
Upon the Pacers’ 2026 draft pick falling to number five and conveying to Los Angeles, the Clippers are presented with an opportunity they have lacked for years, the possibility to build towards the future through the NBA draft. The question now becomes which prospect would be the most appropriate addition to the Clippers’ roster.
While several names make sense for the Clippers at number five, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler stands out as the best fit for the roster. Standing at six-foot-six, Wagler‘s game is built on his size and craft, despite the lack of impressive athleticism. Wagler overwhelms defenders with balance, pace, and footwork. Averaging 18 points per game alongside five rebounds and four assists (as a 19-year-old), his offensive profile helps him stand out within this section of the draft.
What helps Wagler stand out is his positional versatility. He possesses the size to function as a wing, but his skill set also allows him to operate as an off guard. Wagler plays the game at his own pace, playing with a fluidity that allows him to get to his spots. The most promising element of Wagler’s game is his shot-making, shooting six threes per game and converting them at a 39.7% clip. With true NBA range and good shot mechanics, Wagler is one of the premier shooters in this class, with him being comfortable both off the dribble and the catch.
Beyond the shooting, Wagler offers value as a creator being used in pick and roll possessions where his pace and decision making allowed him to generate offence without forcing the issue. As a passer, he is more simple than flashy, capitalizing on easy reads and playing within the flow of the offence.
For the Clippers, Wagler’s ability to play as a wing stands out. With guards such as Garland and Mathurin already established, Wagler provides LA with a player who can fit next to their stars while carrying enough upside to grow into a larger role.
Featured Image: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
