The Los Angeles Clippers are handling an unprecedented rebuild as the 2026-27 preseason unfolds, a reality showed by their 122-110 preseason win over the Denver Nuggets on October 14. With the Kawhi Leonard era definitively over and the franchise stripped of five future first-round picks, the team's immediate future is the bleakest in the NBA. Their next test is a preseason home game against the Sacramento Kings on October 21.
No franchise faces a more difficult path this season. The consequences of the Kawhi Leonard investigation are severe. Owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension from the NBA. Several front-office members also face bans. Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors this offseason. The Clippers will be without their own first-round picks from 2029 through 2033. That means their next possible first-round selection is in 2034, eight years away. It is a historic penalty that restricts every roster-building option.
Rookie guard Keaton Wagler, selected fifth is the cornerstone of this new era. The 19-year-old had a stellar one-and-done year at Illinois, averaging 17.9 points and 4.2 assists per game. He shot nearly 40% from three-point range on 5.9 attempts per game. At 6-foot-6, he brings offensive versatility and size to the backcourt. The Clippers acquired his draft pick from the Indiana Pacers in the Ivica Zubac trade. Wagler represents the team's best chance at a blue-chip prospect for the long-term rebuild.
In an ideal world, Wagler develops into a star quickly. Veterans like Brandon Ingram, Rui Hachimura, and Max Strus play well enough to increase their trade value for future assets. On the court, the goal is to be competitive. The team aims for the Play-In Tournament, mirroring the 2025-26 Phoenix Suns' model of being fun and watchable without true title hopes. Preseason results like the 104-101 win over Golden State on October 4 and the loss to Toronto on October 10 show this mix of potential and inconsistency. Keeping fans engaged while turning the page is the primary objective.
Things could certainly get worse. The nightmare involves Wagler struggling to adapt to the NBA pace. The veteran additions fail to perform, making them untradeable. The team falls completely out of the Play-In race early, leading to empty seats and disinterest. Without their own draft picks, there is no clear path to acquiring elite young talent. The franchise could be stuck in a prolonged period of mediocrity. The front office will need to be creative, using cap space to absorb bad contracts for draft compensation, a process that requires patience from a fanbase that just saw an era end in scandal.
