Looking at the box scores of rookie fifth overall pick Keaton Wagler, one area stands out above all else: his field-goal percentage. This season, Wagler has made just 14 shots on 49 attempts, for 28.6%. This is a borderline awful statistic. One might ask, why is it happening? Is he taking bad shots? Still adjusting to the NBA's speed? Or a combination of both?
The truth: the Clippers are simply asking a lot of him. He has the second-highest usage percentage on the team and is one of the best three-point shooters, playmakers, reliable scorers, and perimeter defenders. As a result, the trade-off is poor efficiency.
Had Wagler been in his third or fourth year, we’d be having a different conversation. But because he’s a rookie, who was a one-and-done prospect at Illinois, he’s rightfully given the benefit of the doubt.
The Clippers are asking Keaton Wagler to do a lot as a rookie
Without Brandon Ingram, Max Strus, Bradley Beal, and Jordan Miller, all of whom play the guard/wing position, the LA Clippers need Keaton Wagler to contribute in various areas of the court for them to have the best chance at winning.
This is backed up by the fact that head coach Tyronn Lue is using only Darius Garland more, five games into the season. So, of course, he won't be perfect.
For what it’s worth, Wagler has also missed easy shots for a player with his size and skill set. Particularly against the Los Angeles Lakers, he had his foot on the gas from start to finish. But when he got to the rim, he sometimes couldn’t convert.
This is obviously nothing to be concerned about, at least for right now, given how early it is in his rookie campaign.
Keaton Wagler is excelling in other areas on the court
When talking about the bad, per se, his field-goal percentage, let’s not overlook how great Keaton Wagler has been. Wagler is just a rookie, yet he’s averaging 14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc on 5.6 attempts per game.
Against the Los Angeles Lakers, he scored a career-high 21 points.
Additionally, Wagler has been great defensively. He’s holding his ground, disrupting passing lanes, and pushing the pace in transition. He’s basically doing everything the Clippers are asking of him.
At the end of the day, while he is shooting under par from the field, it makes sense when you take everything into consideration.
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