1 Clippers player in danger of losing starting job in 2026-27 training camp

October 5, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

1 Clippers player in danger of losing starting job in 2026-27 training camp appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Clippers are officially entering a new era. The team has hinted at a rebuild for years. In 2024, they let Paul George walk in free agency, and both Ivica Zubac and James Harden were traded away last season. The lone remaining piece of the puzzle departed when Kawhi Leonard was shipped to the Toronto Raptors in the offseason.

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Of course, that deal wasn’t concluded until the devastating salary cap circumvention scandal was resolved, which left the Clippers without five future first-round picks. The hefty punishment that Los Angeles received will make it tough to truly rebuild in the coming years, but they don’t necessarily have a team that can contend right now.

To make matters worse, arguably their best player, Brandon Ingram, will miss the start of the 2026-27 season. That leaves Darius Garland, Max Strus, Derrick Jones Jr., Rui Hachimura, and Isaiah Jackson as the likely day-one starters. With so much uncertainty, so many questions, and a lot of recent roster turnover, a lot can change in Los Angeles, though. So, which player in the starting lineup is most likely to lose their job during training camp?

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Max Strus is most likely to be demoted during training camp

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Clippers took part in a five-team offseason trade that was highlighted by Peyton Watson going to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the deal, the Clippers added Strus. At first glance, that trade alone would lead one to believe that Strus’ job as a starter is safe. Plus, Strus’ 3-point marksmanship is valuable in any starting lineup.

However, Keaton Wagler is the future of the Clippers. The rookie from Illinois was drafted fifth overall and can play either guard spot. Darius Garland won’t be getting moved to the bench anytime soon, though, which would make Strus the only option if Wagler begins to look like a star who needs to start as early as training camp.

Wagler is a versatile jumbo guard who can play make for his teammates and play proficient defense. Most notably, though, he shot 39.7% from deep in his lone collegiate season, so he’d be more than capable of replicating some of Strus’ shooting. Plus, Strus has plenty of experience coming off the bench, as 160 of his 321 career games came off the bench. That means he has split time as a starter or bench player (161 career starts). Strus’ scoring ability could actually really benefit a second unit that is a lot thinner than it has been in recent years.

In all likelihood, Wagler will begin his career coming off the bench and won’t be promoted until he really proves himself. That means, during training camp at least, Strus’ position should be safe. Come the regular season, too, one of Hachimura or Jones will have to be demoted once Ingram is ready to play.

Even so, the Clippers have big plans for their prized rookie possession, and they’d certainly like to see him in the starting lineup sooner rather than later. Wagler was drafted to be a star, and he can only reach those lofty expectations if he is in the starting lineup.

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