The Pacific Division loaded up on young, talented guards in the top 10 of this year's NBA draft, with the Los Angeles Clippers taking Keaton Wagler and the Sacramento Kings selecting Darius Acuff Jr.
Wagler was the No. 5 pick on Tuesday night, giving the Clippers an all-around player who was part of the country's loaded freshman class. The 19-year-old is the third Fighting Illini player selected in the top 10 in the modern NBA era, joining Deron Williams
(No. 3, 2005) and Kendall Gill (No. 5, 1990).
“I've got to continue to prove myself to show everyone that I belong here and can be one of the best players in this league,” Wagler said.
The Kings took their own high-scoring freshman guard with the No. 7 selection, adding Acuff, who had some incredible performances in his only college season at Arkansas, including 49 points in a double-overtime loss to Alabama.
With the No. 11 pick, the Golden State Warriors added Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who will be 24 years old by the time the season starts. The 6-foot-9 Lendeborg — who helped the Wolverines win the national championship — could be an immediate starter on a Warriors team that's trying to maximize the championship window of star guard Stephen Curry.
Landeborg can't wear his regular No. 23 jersey with the Warriors — it's Draymond Green's — or his former No. 3 because Will Richard has it. He also likes No. 30, but that's Curry's.
“I think now that I’m stepping into the NBA I’m going to step in with another number and start a new legacy,” Lendeborg said.
The Los Angeles Lakers — according to multiple outlets — moved up one spot to No. 24 in a draft-night trade with the New York Knicks and selected Baylor guard Cameron Carr, who many analysts had rated higher on their board.
Sacramento moved back into the first round to take veteran UConn sharpshooter Alex Karaban at No. 29, a person with knowledge of the trade told The Associated Press.
At the very end of the night, the Phoenix Suns traded into the first round to take Arizona forward Koa Peat at No. 30, another person with knowledge of the trade told the AP.
Needs: Returning coach Steve Kerr could use some youthful versatility on both ends of the floor and a rim protector.
Who they drafted: Lendeborg. The Big Ten Player of the Year and national champion fought tears and embraced mother Yissel Raposo when the pick was announced.
NBA comparison: Lendeborg is drawing comparisons to newly crowned NBA champion OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks because of his agility, size and shooting skills on the wing and also his ability to be a defensive menace on the perimeter and blocking shots.
Needs: A playmaker with wing size to pair with 6-foot-1 guard Darius Garland and someone with potential to be an immediate rotation player.
Who they drafted: Wagler. The 6-5, 188-pounder averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 40% from 3-point range. He was the Big Ten freshman of the year and won the Jerry West Award as the nation’s top shooting guard.
NBA comparison: His dream ceiling is reminiscent of two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who played for the Clippers as a rookie. He's also similar to Indiana All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Needs: The Lakers are seeking depth across their rotation, particularly at center or on the wing. They couldn’t expect to get a premier big man late in the first round, so they went for the best player available.
Who they drafted: Carr is a 6-5, 3-and-D wing who put up strong numbers for Baylor last season, scoring 18.9 points per game. He has a prime opportunity to earn rotation minutes in the place of disappointing Dalton Knecht or Jake LaRavia, whose solid start in LA dipped badly in the postseason.
NBA comparison: Scouts who were high on Carr compared him to the likes of San Antonio’s Devin Vassell and New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III, although he still has to prove he can shoot consistently at the highest level.
Needs: The Suns didn't initially have a first-round pick because they traded it away as part of the package that landed guard Bradley Beal in 2023. They could use another athletic, taller wing in the mold of Rasheer Fleming, who had a promising rookie season after being selected at No. 31 last season.
Who they drafted: Peat. The 6-foot-7 forward was rock solid during his freshman season, averaging 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He needs to work on his jumper but provides versatile scoring and defending for a team that could use some toughness.
NBA comparison: The Suns had a lot of success during the early part of this decade with forward Jae Crowder. Peat has a similar build, and the 19-year-old could slowly turn into an enforcer like Crowder.
Needs: The Kings have been in need of a point guard to build around ever since trading De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio during the 2024-25 season.
Who they drafted: Sacramento took an elite playmaking guard in Acuff, who ranked third in the NCAA in scoring at 23.5 points per game along with 6.4 assists per game. Acuff was the first player since “Pistol” Pete Maravich to lead the SEC in scoring and assists in the same season. He set a school record for freshman with a 49-point game at Alabama and had 91 points in three SEC Tournament wins. Defense is a big question mark for the undersized Acuff, who could struggle against bigger guards.
NBA comparison: The Kings hope Acuff can develop like an undersized, scoring guard they passed on in 2012 in Damian Lillard. Karaban's profile is somewhat similar to Boston forward Sam Hauser, who has been a key piece to the team over the past few years.
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AP Sports Writers Beth Harris, Josh Dubow, Janie McCauley and Greg Beacham contributed to this story.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
