The Los Angeles Clippers wrapped up the Las Vegas Summer League with a 3-2 record, but the real takeaway was the look at the six young players who will vie for roster spots in the 2026-27 season. Four of those players, Keaton Wagler, Kobe Sanders, Cam Christie and Baba Miller, arrived on standard contracts, while Nick Martinelli and Sean Pedulla signed two-way deals. All earned minutes against some of the league’s top competition, giving the organization concrete data on their immediate NBA readiness.
Wagler, the fifth-overall pick, finished strong against Minnesota, scoring 26 points in just 28 minutes. The 19-year-old point guard displayed the footwork and spot-finding ability that made him a lethal offensive force in college, and even when his shot rhythm faltered he continued to create quality looks for teammates. The primary areas identified for improvement are strength and physicality; added bulk would help him finish at the rim and hold his ground against seasoned defenders. Defensively, he took on the toughest assignments with intensity, a trait that bodes well for a team that values gritty perimeter play.
The three other standard-deal rookies each logged meaningful minutes. Kobe Sanders showed the shooting range that earned him a contract, Cam Christie demonstrated the versatility to guard multiple positions, and Baba Miller used his size to protect the paint. While the Summer League sample is small, each displayed flashes of the skill sets the Clippers signed them for, suggesting they could fill specific role-player niches on a roster built around established stars.
The two-way signees, Nick Martinelli and Sean Pedulla, also received opportunities to compete. Their minutes were limited, but the experience offers a direct audition for a full-time roster spot. Consistency and the ability to translate their limited playing time into tangible contributions will be the deciding factors when the coaching staff makes its final cuts.
Looking ahead, the next evaluation phase will be training camp, where the six prospects must translate summer-league promise into daily-practice reliability. For Wagler, adding strength and sharpening decision-making under pressure will be essential. Sanders, Christie, Miller, Martinelli and Pedulla will need to demonstrate consistent shooting, defensive discipline, and adaptability to the Clippers’ system. If they can meet those benchmarks, Los Angeles will enter the 2026-27 season with a deeper bench and a clearer developmental pathway for its newest assets.
