Jordan Miller undergoes shoulder surgery

Strus will get a fresh start after three seasons in Cleveland. His defense and floor spacing should help make an immediate impact for the Clippers as they look to establish a new identity in the post-Kawhi Leonard era. Strus could start alongside Darius Garland, but his presence in a crowded backcourt will make the rotation difficult to project. Kris Dunn, Bennedict Mathurin (RFA) and Gradey Dick all stand to lose out on minutes with Strus on the squad.

Wagler shot 1-of-5 from beyond the arc in Tuesday’s defeat, which dented his overall field-goal percentage. However, the rookie committed just one turnover and appeared more at ease than in his summer league debut on Thursday. Wagler’s size and playmaking ability may add a dimension to the Clippers’ backcourt that was missing last season, as Darius Garland and Kris Dunn are smaller guards. With the Kawhi Leonard trade on hold, it’s still unclear what the roster will look like when training camp opens. Regardless of what happens, Wagler’s development will be critical for the Clippers moving forward.

Wagler’s first game as a Clipper was certainly disappointing. The physicality clearly impacted him and prevented him from getting to his spots. That was a big part of his game in college and was why the Clippers took him with the No. 5 overall pick. There’s no reason to sound the alarms yet, but he is certainly going to have to get stronger to have success in the NBA. He’ll look to bounce back against the Jazz on Sunday.

Miller entered restricted free agency this summer but opted to return to the Clippers for another three seasons. They selected him with the 48th pick in 2023, and after playing sparingly through his first two seasons, he took on a much larger role for the Clippers over the final three months of last year. With Keaton Wagler, Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick now in town, Miller’s role may look smaller than it did down the stretch of last season.

Wagler came off the bench to begin his freshman season, but things changed when Illinois lost Kylan Boswell to a broken hand. In addition to moving into the starting five, the 6-foot-5 Wagler had the ball in his hands more, and he took full advantage. Averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.4 three-pointers, Wagler shot 44.5 percent from the field, 39.7 percent from three and 79.6 percent from the foul line. Wagler can both score and facilitate, and he has the length needed to affect passing lanes defensively. The Clippers’ acquired this pick from the Pacers in the Ivica Zubac trade, and the gamble paid off. Wagler should start alongside Darius Garland in the backcourt, where he’ll see plenty of reps both on and off the ball. Worst case scenario, he plays a large reserve role as Garland’s backup in year one, though he should be a big part of this franchise’s future.

Miller was one of the Clippers’ most impactful performers against OKC. He scored efficiently and produced well off the bench, and also finished in a tie for a team-high in assists during his 30 minutes. Wednesday’s outing was another strong one in what’s been a breakout season for the third-year guard. He continues to be one of the Clippers’ best and most reliable bench options.

Wednesday’s game is the second in as many nights for the Clippers, who beat the Mavericks on Tuesday. As a result, Garland will sit for injury management reasons, with Collins moving into the starting lineup. Kris Dunn will run the point, which raises his fantasy ceiling.

The Clippers are going back to Dunn in the starting lineup for Sunday’s game. John Collins heads to the bench, but his playing time should not take a significant hit. With Isaiah Jackson out, Collins has filled the void at center behind starter Brook Lopez.

Miller did not play in Wednesday’s win over the Raptors, with his absence coinciding with Bennedict Mathurin’s return from a toe injury. If Miller returns, Nicolas Batum is the player most likely to lose out on playing time.

Initially questionable, Miller will miss Wednesday’s game due to a sore back. His absence may result in more minutes for Kris Dunn and Kobe Sanders, with the former currently holding a more secure place within the Clippers’ rotation.