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  • Labaron Philon Jr. believes adaptability is one of his ‘biggest traits.’ Applying that with the Sixers begins now.

    Labaron Philon Jr. believes adaptability is one of his ‘biggest traits.’ Applying that with the Sixers begins now.

    The day before the 2026 NBA draft, Labaron Philon Jr., recalled the “special moment” when he told his Alabama team that he would return for his sophomore season.

    His Crimson Tide teammates and coaches wanted him back, of course. And Philon “put my career in their hands,” he said, “and really trusted they were going to get me better every day.”

    Philon went from a defensive disruptor and guard who complemented former star Mark Sears as a freshman, to Alabama’s bona fide best player and leader as a sophomore. His production numbers organically jumped, but also were a product of deliberately focusing on improving as a three-point shooter (31.5% to 39.9%) and playmaker (3.8 assists to 5 per game) after receiving that feedback from NBA teams.

    “That was the only thing we focused on,” Philon said, “… me just getting better.”

    Daryl Morey planned on the decline of Paul George and Joel Embiid with the Sixers as the Heat land Giannis

    That work turned Philon into a first-round pick whom the Sixers were thrilled to nab at 22nd overall Tuesday night. Now, Philon’s professional work begins. That includes applying the adaptability he believes is one of his “biggest traits,” and will be particularly useful when joining a backcourt already featuring Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

    “I describe it as making the game easy for everybody around you,” Philon said Thursday morning from the Sixers’ facility. “… Being able to play ‘advantage basketball’ and being able to just stay on the right page and be focused within the team and not yourself. That’s something they taught me back at Alabama, and I carried it a long way.

    “Being able to keep playing that way and not changing now, I feel like is really important.”

    Sixers first-round draft pick Labaron Philon Jr. will slot into a dynamic backcourt led by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

    It was fitting that some of the first Sixers representatives that Philon spoke to on draft night were his new backcourt-mates. Philon said Thursday that he is eager to learn from Edgecombe, who made an instant impact in his first NBA season and finished third on an excellent Rookie of the Year ballot. And Maxey began his NBA journey in a similar spot as Philon, as the 21st pick in the 2020 draft who initially played behind Ben Simmons and then morphed into an All-NBA third-teamer.

    “It’s definitely just getting to that level,” Philon said, “being able to compete every day with those guys is definitely going to be special.”

    Maxey and Edgecombe also were among the NBA’s leaders in minutes played last season, meaning Philon could immediately provide beneficial rest through the 82-game marathon if he can play on and off the ball.

    Philon in college used his shiftiness to get into the paint — and footwork to keep his options open for himself and others — while averaging 22 points in Alabama’s high-powered offensive system. He also boasts a “ball hawk” defensive mentality, which fits coach Nick Nurse’s aggressive philosophy and can generate transition opportunities on offense.

    Free agency comes into focus for Sixers after leaving the draft with Labaron Philon Jr.

    Philon’s on-court debut will be at Las Vegas Summer League beginning July 9, as the expected headliner of that Sixers team. After that, his offseason work could take him to Los Angeles, where Sixers assistant Rico Hines organizes legendary pickup games. Or Dallas, where Maxey has been known to recruit younger teammates for workouts. Or solo gym sessions, where Philon said he relies on imagination and high pace to simulate game-like scenarios.

    But the draft week whirlwind is already requiring Philon to be adaptable. Good thing he believes that is one of his best basketball traits.

    “Keep working hard,” Philon said, “and just stepping forward and really putting my head down.”

  • Daryl Morey planned on the decline of Paul George and Joel Embiid with the Sixers as the Heat land Giannis

    Daryl Morey planned on the decline of Paul George and Joel Embiid with the Sixers as the Heat land Giannis

    At an early summer lunch just before free agency began two years ago, Daryl Morey mapped out the 76ers’ dream scenario.

    If the Sixers could somehow land free agent Paul George, a future Hall of Famer who then was 34, Morey told a trio of esteemed scribes that the Sixers would open a two-year window in which they could contend for the Eastern Conference title, if not an NBA championship. The East looked relatively toothless.

    To his credit, or perhaps not, the team’s former president of basketball operations was being realistic. George had just made his ninth All-Star team and played in 74 games, but he’d also missed about 35 games on average in the previous four seasons.

    Why Mike Gansey’s sound process in selecting Labaron Philon Jr. bodes well for Sixers’ future

    Further, Morey had modest expectations for Joel Embiid. Yes, Embiid had just made his seventh straight All-Star team; yes, he was only 30; and yes, he was one season removed from winning his MVP award. But Embiid underwent a second surgery on his left knee a few months before and was significantly hobbled when he returned. Nevertheless, doctors told Morey that, if Embiid was diligent with his conditioning and his rehab, with proper load management, he could resume his NBA career without significant regression.

    Doctors aside, Morey was no fool. He told the writers that if he got two more really good years from Embiid, that would be a good enough return on investment. Overpaying on the back ends of contracts are necessary evils in the sports industry.

    That’s why Morey signed them both to max contracts — George, a delightful surprise in July; Embiid, a necessary evil in September.

    The Sixers still owe Paul George and Joel Embiid almost $300 million.

    Disaster struck.

    Embiid played in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, but, six weeks later, he reported to camp out of shape and so far behind in his rehab that he was unable to start the season. He needed further surgery in the spring of 2025. By the end of last season he’d finally recovered from the knee problem, but he suffered three more injuries: oblique, right ankle, and right hip. He has played in just 64 games in the last two seasons, including playoffs.

    Predictably, George endured a slew of injuries in his first season as a Sixer, then, in an effort to recover from injury, he was suspended 25 games last season for violating the NBA’s antidrug program. He has played a total of 89 games as a Sixer, including the playoffs.

    Which brings us to Monday.

    Blockbuster

    In perhaps the biggest transaction since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach 16 years ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo did the same.

    The Heat and Bucks on Monday reportedly authored a two-team, blockbuster trade. Miami saw blood in the water, jettisoned its ballast, and attacked. Pat Riley, now 81, mortgaged a Heat future in which he likely will play a diminishing a role to support the chances of second-tier star Bam Adebayo.

    Brilliant.

    There have been other big deals, such as the idiocy in Dallas of trading Luka Dončić in 2025 to the Lakers, but Giannis is a bigger deal. He has two MVPs, an NBA championship, and an acceptable BMI. Luka has none of those.

    With the Greek Freak on board, the East is ripe for Miami, and Riley, the Heat president for the past 31 seasons, knows it. After all, he orchestrated the last trade with this sort of effect, when he brought Shaquille O’Neal to Miami in 2004, then won a title with him in 2006. On Monday, Riley’s team immediately became a contender again in a vulnerable Eastern Conference.

    The principals

    Celtics? The patchwork Sixers upset the mighty Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

    Knicks? The hodgepodge overachievers, the most fun team to watch since Larry Brown pushed the Pistons to the 2004 title, ran off 11 consecutive wins in the conference playoffs to reach the NBA Finals, in which they wore down an inexperienced team and its inexperienced coach.

    The Cavs? They collapsed due to the cold left hand of James Harden, who, to no one’s surprise, shot just 38.9% in the conference final against the Knicks.

    The Pistons? Two words: Tobias Harris.

    Pat Riley, 81, orchestrated the trade of another superstar to Miami in landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a reported trade with the Bucks.

    The Pacers? Two words: Tyrese Haliburton. He pushed the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2025 but blew out his Achilles in Game 7. With all due respect to Jalen Brunson, if Haliburton returns at 100%, then he’s the best player in the East. How good is he? The Pacers’ 19 wins were second-worst last season, but with Haliburton returning, their DraftKings odds to win the East are 12-1.

    Upon news of the trade, the Heat’s odds to win the conference on DraftKings improved from 12-1 to 6-1. That’s behind the Celtics, at 2.25-1, and the Knicks, who are at 3-1.

    The Sixers? They’re still seventh, at 19-1, behind the Cavs, who are 13-1, after Tuesday night’s draft. The Sixers used their 22nd overall pick on Labaron Philon Jr., a 6-foot-4 sophomore sniper out of Alabama whom they hope will compensate for Morey’s deadline trade of popular second-year shooter Jared McCain, who flourished in Oklahoma City.

    Inside Labaron Philon Jr.’s draft night and unexpected fall to the ‘perfect spot’ with the Sixers

    Philon’s arrival did not move the DraftKings needle.

    Don’t expect those odds to get any better July 6, when free-agent deals and proposed trades like the Giannis deal can be ratified.

    All the Sixers will be able to do is watch.

    They’re still saddled with the crippling contract of Embiid, now 32 going on 52 and who is owed almost $188 million over the next three seasons.

    They’re still saddled with the last two years and almost $111 million owed George, who is 36. A second positive drug test would cost him 55 games. Maybe he needs them.

    He averaged just 14.5 points and shot 40.7% from the field when the Knicks swept the Sixers out of the second round — a sweep that, two days, later, cost Morey his job as president.

    These twin albatrosses will haunt the Sixers for at least two more years. This, remember, is by design.

  • Free agency comes into focus for Sixers after leaving the draft with Labaron Philon Jr.

    Free agency comes into focus for Sixers after leaving the draft with Labaron Philon Jr.

    During his news conference following the NBA draft’s first round, new 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey vocalized a desire to aggressively explore acquiring a second-round pick.

    “We’re always going to make calls,” Gansey told reporters from the Sixers’ facility late Tuesday, “and try to turn over every stone and see what’s out there. We have roster spots. We have playing time.

    “So trying to get someone that can fit [coach Nick Nurse’s] system and the way we want to play, the character piece, we’re going to try to look at it all and try to get someone who can fit.”

    Inside Labaron Philon Jr.’s draft night and unexpected fall to the ‘perfect spot’ with the Sixers

    Yet Wednesday night’s second round of the draft was uneventful for the Sixers. No move enticing enough materialized for Gansey, even while possessing several future second-round picks. So the Sixers exited the draft with one selection, after Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. surprisingly slipped to them at No. 22 overall.

    Gansey’s first roster-building checkmark is complete. Next up is free agency beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, likely with limited financial flexibility given Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George all remain on max contracts for multiple seasons. Embiid and George are considered difficult to trade because of their age and injury history.

    The Sixers used the prudent best-player-available approach in selecting Philon, who is crafty with the ball in his hands and significantly improved as an outside shooter and facilitator in his second college season. That pick also continued to lean into their dynamic young guard rotation featuring Maxey, an All-NBA third-teamer last season, and VJ Edgecombe, who finished third on a terrific NBA Rookie of the Year ballot.

    Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. is crafty with the ball in his hands and significantly improved as an outside shooter and facilitator in his second college season.

    “Adding me, it’s a blur,” Philon said from Barclays Center after his selection. “You’ve got two guys that are really shifty, two guys that know how to handle the ball, and a guy that can jump out the roof. That means everything in the backcourt. I feel like Coach Nurse is going to have a fun time with that.”

    Perhaps that is another deliberate step in the Sixers establishing an identity, a necessity that Bob Myers, the president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, emphasized the same day the franchise formally introduced Gansey earlier this month.

    Why Mike Gansey’s sound process in selecting Labaron Philon Jr. bodes well for Sixers’ future

    That also means the Sixers still have positional gaps along the wing and in the frontcourt. Starting small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., sixth man Quentin Grimes, and reserve center Andre Drummond all are unrestricted free agents (so is reserve guard Kyle Lowry, but he is expected to retire). The availability of Embiid and George also remains unpredictable, though both former perennial All-Stars expressed optimism about their health entering the offseason last month. Rebounding and three-point shooting were team weaknesses last season.

    So when North Carolina’s Henri Veesaar, a stretch-big man who was widely projected as a first-rounder, continued to tumble down the second round, an outsider could have considered his fit with the Sixers. Instead, the Atlanta Hawks traded for the 52nd overall pick to select him.

    Teams have been permitted to negotiate with their own free agents since the New York Knicks’ title officially ended the NBA season. The Sixers also must make team option decisions on Dominick Barlow ($3.4 million for 2026-27), Trendon Watford ($2.8 million), and Dalen Terry ($2.6 million) by Monday.

    Once the market fully opens, the Sixers will have the nontaxpayer midlevel exception (about $15 million), or could split that salary figure on multiple players. They also will be able to sign players to veteran minimum deals.

    The Sixers will have decisions to make on several unrestricted free agents, including Kelly Oubre Jr.

    Before then, it remains possible that the Sixers agree to terms with undrafted rookies — who typically sign two-way contracts — in the coming hours or days.

    Productive players can be found via that route. Barlow, a starting forward for the Sixers for much of last season, was not selected in the 2022 draft. Neither was former Sixer Julian Champagnie, who eventually morphed into a sharpshooting starter for the San Antonio Spurs team that just advanced to the NBA Finals. And the second round progresses, agents sometimes angle for their clients to go undrafted in order to have more choice in their playing destination.

    Yet the Sixers exited the 2026 draft with a potential first-round steal in Philon, and without a second-round selection.

    Up next: Free agency.

  • Inside Labaron Philon Jr.’s draft night and unexpected fall to the ‘perfect spot’ with the Sixers

    Inside Labaron Philon Jr.’s draft night and unexpected fall to the ‘perfect spot’ with the Sixers

    NEW YORK — Labaron Philon Jr., woke up before 7 a.m. Tuesday, and started playing music.

    Up first on his early-morning playlist was hip-hop artist Lucki. Then rapper NoCap, who also hails from Philon’s hometown of Mobile, Ala.

    “I was bouncing around,” Philon later recalled to The Inquirer. “ … I was just like, ‘Man, it’s really here.’”

    The NBA draft had finally arrived. Philon, the crafty guard from Alabama, had already delayed this life-changing basketball accomplishment by a year, after declaring for the 2025 draft and then taking his feedback from teams back to a second college season. Then, Philon sat in front of Barclays Center’s massive stage for longer than expected Tuesday, as a projected lottery pick who slipped past that portion of the first round.

    Why Mike Gansey’s sound process in selecting Labaron Philon Jr. bodes well for Sixers’ future

    But though that final dose of anticipation created a “kind of long” draft day, landing with the Sixers with the 22nd overall pick was worth the wait.

    “Being able to hear your name is everything,” Philon said late Tuesday from a back-of-house area of Barclays Center. “But the fun stuff around the building — the media and the circus and stuff like that — I feel like it’s really fun to just be able to experience that, especially having two years in college.”

    Philon’s solo music session lasted for almost an hour, before an 8 a.m haircut. Then his family members — from parents, Alicia Robinson and Labaron Sr., to his siblings, to his grandmother and cousins and uncles whom Labaron had not seen much while traveling across NBA markets during the predraft process — joined him at that luxury Manhattan hotel for the draft prospects’ luncheon.

    He eventually changed into a black suit and black-rimmed glasses, and slipped on a diamond-encrusted “16” chain that NoCap had loaned him a couple of weeks ago for his big night. Upon arriving at the Brooklyn Nets’ home arena, Philon took in his surroundings.

    Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr., left, took feedback from NBA executives and applied it to his sophomore season.

    As he watched peers go off the board before him for more than two hours, Philon kept his focus on “the main thing”: that his name would be called at some point. A television camera caught Philon nodding when the Sixers were on the clock at 22, his mind “immediately” wrapping around the play style and fit with fellow electric guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Extra serendipitous: The Sixers were one of Labaron’s brother’s favorite teams while they were growing up, another detail that put Philon at ease.

    “Really being confident in myself,” Philon said, “and being confident that they chose a great player.”

    When NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Philon’s name, tears visibly formed in his eyes as he rose from his seat. The hug from Mom — “she was really excited,” he said — is a moment he will never forget.

    The Sixers may have snagged a draft sleeper in Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22

    He stepped up to the stage, grabbed a black Sixers hat, and shook Silver’s hand. Then he was whisked into a rapid-fire circuit of photos, interviews, and autograph signings. Maxey and Edgecombe FaceTimed in to say congratulations and welcome.

    “Perfect spot,” Philon told them. “Just patience.”

    It was past midnight when Philon finished his formal news conference, with stops still to go.

    He was looking forward to returning to the hotel, to celebrate with his fellow draftees and change into some comfortable clothes. Perhaps he would finally look at his phone, which had been constantly buzzing. Or just “lay down for a little bit.”

    “Being able to breathe, really,” Philon said.

    Tuesday had already become Wednesday. A long-yet-life-changing draft day, and night, and early morning, was reaching its end.

    But it was all worth the wait.

    “The whole week has been special for me and my family,” Philon said. “Being able to experience the beginnings of a new start.”

  • Was Labaron Philon Jr. both the best pick of the night and ‘a terrible fit’ for the Sixers? Here’s what they’re saying.

    Was Labaron Philon Jr. both the best pick of the night and ‘a terrible fit’ for the Sixers? Here’s what they’re saying.

    Tuesday night marked the true start of the Mike Gansey era for the Sixers.

    After a season that saw the team’s playoff hopes end in a series sweep to the New York Knicks, the Sixers hired former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Gansey as their new president of basketball operations. The NBA draft was Gansey’s first attempt to improve last year’s roster, and he used his team’s only scheduled pick — No. 22 overall — on Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr.

    From being called the steal of the first round to concerns on how Philon will fit with the team, here’s everything they’re saying about the 76ers latest addition …

    Best pick of the night?

    Philon played two years at Alabama, making appearances in the Elite Eight as a freshman and the Sweet 16 as a sophomore before losing to Duke and Michigan, respectively. During his sophomore year, he averaged 22 points, 5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals.

    Why Mike Gansey’s sound process in selecting Labaron Philon Jr. bodes well for Sixers’ future

    At ESPN, Bobby Marks listed Alabama’s former Mr. Basketball as the best pick of the night.

    “I ranked the Alabama guard as the 13th-best prospect in the draft,” Marks wrote. “What stood out for me is how Philon took the constructive criticism from the 2025 draft combine and applied it this past season. He improved his 3-point shooting from 32% to 40%.

    “The biggest takeaway is that NBA teams wanted to see Philon as a primary playmaker — he averaged 5.1 assists as a sophomore at Alabama. With the 76ers, Philon will join an explosive backcourt with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.”

    Labaron Philon Jr. arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

    ‘The upside is tremendous’

    As a freshman, Philon averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals — earning SEC All-Freshman honors and becoming a three-time SEC Freshman of the Week. After his first year, he tested the NBA draft waters before ultimately deciding to return to school where he had a breakout sophomore season.

    “His stock did take a knock here over the past month or so,” said CBS Sports reporter Matt Norlander. “So there was a time where I thought his camp probably believed they would be somewhere in the top 16 or so. Instead, they fall into a really good situation, honestly. I do like the fit here with Mike Gansey now running the show in Philadelphia and did extensive work on him.

    “I’m of the opinion that if Philon puts it all together, I do think he’s going to be one of the 10-12 best players in this draft class when we check in five years from now. I’ve seen him in person plenty of times. He can be a blur with the ball. And knowing what his role is going to be, like, there’s some really established people there in Philadelphia. And being a wingman to Maxey amongst other players, I think it’s a really good value pick and I think the upside is tremendous.”

    First-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. brings ball-handling, shooting ability, and playmaking to the Sixers

    ‘He could be a star’

    Philon dropping to the No. 22 pick surprised plenty of people, including former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins.

    “I think he dropped more than he should have, but I’m super excited for the kid,” Cousins said on Bleacher Report’s draft show. “He gets to learn behind Tyrese Maxey. They obviously pick up some more depth as far as guard play. I’m not mad at the pick. This is an exciting player. I think he’s going to be great in Philly. I think Philly will love him right away. He can fit next to a star or he could be a star, that’s the greatness that comes with Philon.”

    When asked if it could be the steal of the draft, Cousins responded: “It could be, possibly.”

    “Obviously, I don’t think you get to maximize him in his rookie year as much as you can because he plays behind a Tyrese Maxey and a VJ Edgecombe. So there’s not as much opportunity when you have those franchise guys in place. But, I think he could be a really, really good depth piece for this Philly team.”

    Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. (0) celebrates after a 3-point basket against Auburn last March.

    ‘A terrible fit for the Sixers’

    However, other analysts don’t believe Philon is the best fit for a Sixers team that already has Edgecombe and Maxey in its starting lineup.

    “I got two thoughts,” said Kevin O’Connor on Yahoo Sports! Draft Live show. “One, it is a good value pick for Philadelphia. Philon is a steal here from a pure player standpoint with his creation ability. He is a very good basketball player. But two, this is a terrible fit for the Sixers.

    The Sixers ‘couldn’t pass up’ Labaron Philon Jr. after he ‘fell in our lap’ at No. 22 overall in NBA draft

    “I mean, they’re just too small in the backcourt. You drafted VJ Edgecombe last year, he should be like your two, not your three. And now you have Maxey and Philon. That’s too small to play competitive playoff basketball.

    “So I think it raises the question for the Philadelphia 76ers, is this actually a team that cares about right now, competing today? Or is this purely a future-based move? Do they actually want to contend this year or not? … Are the Sixers actually serious about winning today with Philon? I think the answer very clearly is no.”

    The move comes four months after the Sixers traded Jared McCain for a bevy of picks, including the pick the team used on Philon. But some are wondering why make that trade only to replace McCain with a player that has similar deficiencies.

    “It’s not that [Philon]’s a bad pick, it’s just you can’t pass on a guy like Cameron Carr, who’s the perfect fit alongside Maxey and Edgecombe,” said 97.5 The Fanatic’s Sam Oshtry. “[Philon is] 6-foot-2. Nick Nurse couldn’t find minutes for Jared McCain because he was too small and couldn’t defend. You just added a 6-foot-2 guard to the rotation. Yeah, you needed guard depth. But this guy has no starting potential alongside Maxey and Edgecombe.”

    Overall grade: B+

    In terms of overall grades for the first-round pick, most outlets are giving the Sixers a very positive review, including a trio of B+ rankings …

    Bleacher Report (B+): “This is a tremendous value for the talent. That matters. It would just score a little higher if Philadelphia had more of an obvious opening for Philon.” — Zach Buckley

    The Athletic (B+): “A scoring guard with a splendid array of finishes, Philon should add some juice to the non-Tyrese Maxey minutes in Philly once he gets his NBA sea legs. The Sixers have no viable backup point guard at the moment, so Philon could play right away. Philon also ends up being the last in the wave of eight point guards who projected to go between picks No. 5 and No. 25.” — John Hollinger

    CBS Sports (B+): “Philon gives Philadelphia a dynamic scorer who attacks with pace, has worked his way into a shotmaker, and showed more defensive chops as a freshman. A gifted shot creator, Philon stuffed the stat sheet as the focal point of one of college basketball’s fastest offenses, and did it with 50/40/80 shooting splits. If he can tap back into some of the defensive tools he showed as a freshman, there could be real value here.” — Adam Finkelstein

    The Sixers may have snagged a draft sleeper in Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22
  • Why Mike Gansey’s sound process in selecting Labaron Philon Jr. bodes well for Sixers’ future

    Why Mike Gansey’s sound process in selecting Labaron Philon Jr. bodes well for Sixers’ future

    At the broadest, most general philosophical level, Mike Gansey aced his first test as Sixers president on Tuesday night. He looked at his draft board, saw a player he’d graded as the best talent by a significant margin, and then he selected that player. The process was sound.

    As insignificant as it may seem, plenty of front offices mess it up. They prioritize things like roster construction or positional fit and they allow motivated reasoning to cloud the reality that all of the perfect players are long gone by the 22nd pick in the NBA draft. You must defy the odds just to select a player who ends up deserving a spot in a playoff rotation, let alone one who can make a decisive impact at a position of need. In Labaron Philon Jr., a sophomore guard from Alabama, the Sixers saw a talent so obvious that they didn’t feel like there was a choice to make.

    “He’s someone that fell into our lap, so to speak,” Gansey said.

    The Sixers ‘couldn’t pass up’ Labaron Philon Jr. after he ‘fell in our lap’ at No. 22 overall in NBA draft

    Of course, the real test is whether they are right. Not just about Philon, a dynamic ballhandler and shooter who averaged 22 points per game last season and who some mock drafts had going in the top 15. Gansey and his front office must also be correct in their evaluations of the players they could have drafted instead of Philon. Zuby Ejiofor, Chris Cenac Jr., Joshua Jefferson, to name a few. Each of those three possesses the size that Philon lacks and that a roster like the Sixers’ will eventually need on the wing alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Each went off the board in the six picks after Philon. Two of them went to Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls (Ejiofor to the Hawks at No. 23, Cenac to the Celtics at No. 27). History will be written by the teams that got it right.

    All you need to know about how the Sixers feel about Philon can be derived by the fact that they saw fit to draft him despite the overlap in skill sets with Maxey and Edgecombe and also the player they traded away for the pick they used to draft the Alabama guard. When Daryl Morey dealt Jared McCain to the Thunder with ownership’s approval, the thought was that the 2024 first-round pick’s long-term utility would be capped by his inability to play alongside two other smallish guards. He and Philon are hardly carbon copies of each other. Philon is a little longer in terms of standing reach and wingspan, and he is a quicker, more dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. But they both exist in the same general bucket, with the same limitations with regard to Maxey and Edgecombe.

    Sixers first-rounder Labaron Philon Jr. averaged 22 points in his final season at Alabama.

    Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of Tuesday’s first round, Gansey and Sixers coach Nick Nurse both spent a lot of time talking about how similar Philon is to Maxey and Edgecombe.

    “He’s another fast, kind of exciting guy that kind of plays a lot like Tyrese and VJ,” Nurse said. “It’s another guy with the speed, athleticism, quickness, deep range, some creativity with the ball. He’s a pretty good pick-and-roll player already, probably more advanced than a lot of guys coming out. I think he sees all the pieces of the pick-and-roll.”

    Nurse and Gansey both hemmed and hawed when asked whether they envisioned using all three of their young guards on the court at the same time.

    “I don’t see a lot of minutes, but maybe in certain situations we can,” Gansey said, while also deferring to Nurse.

    Nurse sounded equally skeptical.

    First-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. brings ball-handling, shooting ability, and playmaking to the Sixers

    “I think it’s a little early to answer that,” he said.

    Both downplayed the significance of the question. Games are more than long enough to accommodate three guards playing starter minutes at staggered intervals. Maxey and Edgecombe both finished among the league leaders in playing time last season, perhaps counterproductively so. In a world where each averages 32 minutes per game, that would leave another 32 where one or the other is on the bench.

    “My mindset is he’s talented,” Nurse said of Philon. “Let’s figure out how we’re going to get him on the floor.”

    Nick Nurse and Mike Gansey saw a lot of similarities between new Sixer Labaron Philon Jr. (right) and VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey.

    The Sixers will have a good problem on their hands if Philon ends up good enough to warrant more minutes than are available. It will mean the minutes he does play are valuable. The Knicks won an NBA championship with Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, and Jose Alvarado. The Spurs had Dylan Harper playing starter minutes off the bench behind De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. The Thunder had a slew of guards contribute, including the smallish McCain and Cason Wallace.

    “You look at our roster, we need help at every position, one through five,” Gansey said. “Obviously, we have the big four, and I think he fits. He’s another guard so now we can kind of focus in other areas on the roster.”

    However Philon turns out, the pick does offer us a little more evidence on what to expect out of Gansey and this Sixers roster. They didn’t use the No. 22 pick to select a player who might someday help alleviate the roster’s clearest current need (size on the wing). They didn’t trade it for a veteran who might’ve made them better in the short term. They didn’t use it to entice a team to take on Paul George’s contract. They did what a team in their position should be doing. They had an opportunity to draft a player they think will someday belong in a championship-caliber rotation, and they availed themselves of that opportunity. That is how it is going to need to be done: piece by piece.

  • The Sixers ‘couldn’t pass up’ Labaron Philon Jr. after he ‘fell in our lap’ at No. 22 overall in NBA draft

    The Sixers ‘couldn’t pass up’ Labaron Philon Jr. after he ‘fell in our lap’ at No. 22 overall in NBA draft

    Mike Gansey made his first move as 76ers‘ president of basketball operations on Tuesday, selecting Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr., with the No. 22 overall pick.

    After his official introduction on June 11 as the team’s new leader, the draft was the first item on the docket. In his opening press conference, Gansey said explicitly that he viewed the 22nd overall pick as one of the critical tools to improve next year’s roster. He liked the range of players expected to be available for the Sixers at 22, but as the Alabama guard dropped down the board, he became the obvious choice.

    “He was the highest guy on our board at 22,” Gansey said. “We had him higher than that. You look at our roster, we need help in every position, one through five. Obviously we have the big four, but we need guys outside of it. I think he fits. He’s another guard, so now we focus in other areas on the roster, but he’s someone that just fell in our lap.”

    First-round pick Labaron Philon brings ball-handling, shooting ability, and playmaking to the Sixers

    The guard played two seasons at Alabama, averaging 22 points, 5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in his sophomore season.

    Nick Nurse said he sees Philon as a player who “can play right away,” and the Sixers needed to add depth at every position. Tyrese Maxey averaged the most minutes per game in the NBA last season. VJ Edgecombe was 11th. Gansey said he doesn’t necessarily see Philon playing alongside those two in a three-guard lineup, but expects him to give both of those players more rest next season, and to get Maxey working off the ball more.

    Sixers head coach Nick Nurse needed more guard depth last season as Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe played big minures.

    Philon was also the right culture fit with his competitiveness and hunger, Gansey said. He emphasized that he’s looking for “fountains, not drains.” and wants players who want to be in Philadelphia and will help build a team culture that’s been missing the last few seasons.

    “His mentality, I think fits the way I want guys, and especially with Coach Nurse,” Gansey said. “Nick wants guys who play the right way, play with some edge and toughness.”

    No. 22 overall was the only pick the Sixers owned heading into draft night, but it might not be the only selection the Sixers make in this year’s draft. Gansey said the team will “be aggressive” in attempting to trade back up into the second round if a player they like is available.

    The Sixers may have snagged a draft sleeper in Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22

    If the Sixers bypass the second round, free agency will be the team’s next big opportunity to improve the roster ahead of opening night.

    Picking Philon doesn’t necessarily mean that pending free agent Quentin Grimes is out the door, Gansey said, adding that the front office was engaged with both Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. as free agency approaches. But it does open up the opportunity for the Sixers to let Grimes walk and use that money to upgrade at other positions, if they so choose.

    Labaron Philon Jr. arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

    “It just takes a little pressure off Tyrese and VJ, when you have another ballhandler,” Gansey said. “We’re going to have to get another ball handler too. We can’t rely on a rookie point guard, but I just think he’s just too talented, too young, that where he was at the draft, we couldn’t pass up.”

  • First-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. brings ball-handling, shooting ability, and playmaking to the Sixers

    First-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. brings ball-handling, shooting ability, and playmaking to the Sixers

    NEW YORK — The 76ers entered the NBA draft fresh off a playoff series that exposed their roster shortcomings.

    That decisive second-round sweep by the New York Knicks showed that the franchise needed to double down on what it received from cornerstones Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid. They needed more speed, more scoring, more shooting, more rebounding, more everything.

    The Sixers’ first attempt at improving came with the selection of Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22 overall on Tuesday, christening the Mike Gansey era as president of basketball operations.

    Sixers select Alabama guard Labaron Philon with the 22nd overall pick

    Let’s take a closer look at Philon’s career at Alabama, how he fits with the Sixers, and other areas of the Sixers’ roster that can still be addressed.

    What Philon brings to Philly

    Philon arrived at Alabama as a homegrown talent who proved to be a big-time scorer, earning Alabama’s Mr. Basketball high school honors.

    Before leaving town for Link Academy in Missouri for his senior season, Philon played three seasons at Baker High School in Mobile, Ala., and averaged 35 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists as a junior. That scoring ability didn’t immediately translate to college in his freshman season at Alabama, when he averaged 10.6 points, 3.3. rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 37 games.

    Alabama’s Labaron Philon (right) averaged 10.6 points, 3.3. rebounds and 3.8 assists in 37 games as a freshman.

    Philon realized that he didn’t put together a strong enough campaign to enter the NBA. He went through the process and returned to school for another year, where his tape was more undeniable. As a sophomore, Philon averaged 22 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5 assists. That was good enough to get buzz as a lottery pick before dropping to the Sixers at No. 22.

    Philon’s skill set features a crafty handle, ability to finish at the rim, and shooting range from deep. He can function in the screen-and-roll and is creative in open space. He made 57.4% of his two-pointers and 39.9% of his three-pointers last season, and those numbers are made more impressive by the fact that Philon was often the center of attention for Alabama and created a large share of his own shots.

    Why Mike Gansey’s sound process in selecting Labaron Philon Jr. bodes well for Sixers’ future

    Most important, Philon’s numbers weren’t empty calories. His production contributed to winning in both seasons for the Crimson Tide, as he helped direct a team that made the Elite Eight as a freshman and the Sweet 16 this past season. Each time his team met a No. 1 seed, losing to Cooper Flagg’s Duke team in 2024-25 and eventual champion Michigan in 2025-26.

    How Philon fits in Philly

    The Sixers have too many holes to fill in one draft. They entered Tuesday with voids in the backcourt and frontcourt. The franchise hit on Maxey and Edgecombe in recent drafts, but those stellar guards were near the top of the league in minutes played. Paul George and Embiid played inspired basketball at times when available, but they were not healthy nearly enough. George played only 37 games because of injury and suspension and Embiid called his 38 games played a “successful season” after he managed 19 games the season before.

    From AJ Dybantsa’s Paris-made suit to monochromatic looks, here were the best outfits from the NBA draft

    There were several players on the board who could have helped the Sixers when the 22nd pick rolled arrived. And several of them were names that slipped down the board as Arizona’s Koa Peat, Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr., and Philon were available. The Sixers appeared to take the best player available, as president of basketball operations Mike Gansey intimated that they would.

    During the draft process, Iowa sharpshooter Bennet Stirtz, who was picked 16th and joined former Sixer Jared McCain with the Oklahoma City Thunder, made a poignant statement. He said every team can use more shooters and ballhandlers. That’s what Philon will bring to Philly, another player who can create and score when Maxey goes to the bench.

    He’s adept at getting downhill and making buckets in the midrange and over bigger bodies, which will be needed on a Sixers team that received most of its scoring from four players. That he is a strong three-point shooter will be a bigger boon for the Sixers after trading McCain at the deadline in February and struggling to make shots from deep in the postseason.

    Alabama guard Labaron Philon (right) shot 39.9% from three as a sophomore.

    The Sixers also trotted Edgecombe out as a secondary ballhandler often in his rookie season. But that typically amounted to him creating offense for himself or initiating and getting out of the way. There wasn’t much in between as he continues to improve his ballhandling. Philon can take some of that pressure off Edgecombe and do more to find Embiid and George, who have grown more dependent on their teammates to get them the ball at this time of their careers.

    What the Sixers still need to address

    Rebounding was a major issue for the Sixers last season. As was on-ball defense and communication. As were turnovers. Those things won’t all be addressed in the draft or free agency. The Sixers can add reinforcements at forward to lower the usage of a smaller lineup around Embiid. They can also retain Kelly Oubre Jr. or Quentin Grimes to keep depth and talent on the wings.

    But because of their contract obligations, there are some things that can only be fixed from within. Maxey, George, and Embiid are all on max contracts, limiting who the Sixers can add to the roster. That means those players will have to do more. It’s hard to ask Maxey to be better than he was during the regular season, when he carried the franchise to the playoffs and earned All-Star and third-team All-NBA honors. That leaves George and Embiid, whose availability will remain the biggest factor in this team’s success.

  • From AJ Dybantsa’s Paris-made suit to monochromatic looks, here were the best outfits from the NBA draft

    From AJ Dybantsa’s Paris-made suit to monochromatic looks, here were the best outfits from the NBA draft

    New York Fashion Week might not be until September, but looks were on display in Brooklyn for the first round of the NBA draft held at the Barclays Center on Tuesday night.

    Here are some of the best looks from Day 1 of the two-day event …

    NBA draft news: Sixers take Labaron Philon, tells fans ‘they’re getting a dog’; Giannis trade gives Embiid new title

    AJ Dybantsa

    Not only was Dybantsa selected first overall by the Washington Wizards, but the Brigham Young product was also one of the best dressed of the night.

    Dybantsa honored his father, Anicet “Ace” Dybantsa Sr. who grew up in Paris, by getting his suit made there. His black jacket, which tied at the side rather than buttoned, featured gray muted-tone floral accents near the shoulders, bottom, and the cuffs of the sleeve. He also honored his parents with a pin that included flags of the Republic of the Congo and Jamaica.

    The jacket and pants were made from a shinier black fabric and paired with a white shirt, black boots, and a rainbow-faced watch. Dybantsa also wore a blue TC5 pin for the late Terrence Clarke, who he grew up with in the Boston area. Clarke died in a car accident in April 2021.

    Cameron Boozer

    Boozer is the son of former Olympian and NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer. But the Duke freshman standout, who was taken by the Memphis Grizzlies third overall, had a draft suit resembling that of a different NBA icon.

    In a white suit, Cameron Boozer’s look was reminiscent of LeBron James’ 2003 outfit, when he also wore a monochromatic suit complete with black and white shoes.

    While Boozer wore a warmer white hue, he had a white jacket, shirt, pants, and tie, with the only different color in his outfit coming from his brown shoes.

    Yaxel Lendeborg

    The Pennsauken High School graduate Lendeborg had a similar idea of rocking a white suit, but styled his differently than Boozer.

    Lendeborg, who was picked 11th by the Golden State Warriors after winning a national championship with Michigan, paired a white jacket, white shirt, and white pants with a brown tie and matching brown shoes.

    Pennsauken’s Yaxel Lendeborg selected by Golden State Warriors in first round of NBA draft

    He completed the look with gold bracelets, sunglasses, and a watch that all complemented each other.

    Chris Cenac Jr. arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

    Chris Cenac Jr.

    Sunglasses were a popular accessory on the red carpet this year, with Cenac, selected 27th overall by the Boston Celtics, also sporting a pair with his look.

    Cenac went for a traditional patterned suit. The glen plaid suit bordered on a hue between gray and beige, which he paired with brown shoes, and an eggplant-colored tie and handkerchief. The big man, who starred at Houston, also added a gold watch to the outfit.

    Kingston Flemings

    Also wearing a patterned suit was the Houston standout Flemings, who was drafted eighth by the Atlanta Hawks. Fleming wore a pinstriped double breasted suit.

    The burgundy suit’s pinstripes were gold, which he paired with a white shirt and matching burgundy tie and black shoes. He also had a gold pin on the collar of his jacket with his initials that tied in with the suit’s gold detail.

    But the real star of Flemings’ outfit was the inside lining, which featured a collage of photos from his journey through his career as well his favorite quote: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

    Mikel Brown Jr.

    Brown, whom the Brooklyn Nets drafted sixth overall, also had a special lining on the inside of his suit jacket.

    Already at home in the Barclays Center, Brown wore a white jacket that featured a powder blue collar area, a matching powder blue vest and pants, and silver tie.

    Brown wanted to honor his heritage and the tradition on his mother’s side of the family. Brown’s mother, Marisela, grew up in Puerto Rico.

    On the inside of his jacket, Brown had a lining that showed Puerto Rico’s national flower, the Flor de Maga, in red, white, and blue, and the Puerto Rican flag as well.

  • The Sixers may have snagged a draft sleeper in Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22

    The Sixers may have snagged a draft sleeper in Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22

    NEW YORK — Bobby Marks was almost hesitant to bring up Labaron Philon Jr.’s name when asked during a Monday panel about potential sleepers in the 2026 NBA draft class.

    Because Marks, the ESPN analyst who once led the New Jersey Nets’ front office, did not believe the Alabama guard would slip past No. 17.

    Marks appreciated that, after Philon declared for the draft last year but then opted to return to school, he applied the feedback he received from NBA teams to his second college season. Fran Fraschilla, the longtime college basketball coach and another ESPN analyst, took Marks’ analysis a step further, declaring that Philon “could end up being the best point guard in this draft.”

    First-round pick Labaron Philon brings ball-handling, shooting ability, and playmaking to the Sixers

    That talent and potential landed in the 76ers’ lap at No. 22 overall Tuesday night at Barclays Center. Philon was a prospect new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey could not pass up selecting. And Philon’s addition further builds out a young and explosive backcourt that already features All-NBA third-teamer Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, who finished third in NBA’s Rookie of the Year voting.

    “Adding me, it’s a blur,” Philon said. “You’ve got two guys that are really shifty, two guys that know how to handle the ball, and a guy that can jump out the roof. That means everything in the backcourt. I feel like Coach [Nick] Nurse is going to have a fun time with that.”

    Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr., left, said Sixers fans will get a dog on the court when he joins the team this fall.

    From his freshman to sophomore college seasons, Philon significantly improved his three-point percentage (31.5% to 39.9%) and assist numbers (3.8 per game to 5.0). He doubled his scoring average from 10.6 points per game to a team-high 22, unleashing crafty moves and a willingness to take on defenders despite his slighter 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame. He was a defensive specialist, of sorts, when not required to carry the primary offensive load.

    And Philon believes that playing in coach Nate Oats’ system — and next to former star guard Mark Sears as a freshman — will prepare him to join the Sixers’ excellent backcourt.

    “Spending two years [at Alabama] just taught me how to play a special way of basketball,” Philon said late Tuesday. “Coach Oats, you know that style of basketball Coach Oats teaches. Being able to learn things under him and the coaching staff, I would say everybody in the program was really just looking forward to getting me better.

    “I would say making the decision to go back [to school] was important. Being able to experience the first year in the NBA [draft process in 2025] but come back and hear your name called [in 2026] means everything.”

    NBA draft news: Sixers take Labaron Philon Jr. with first-round pick; Giannis trade gives Embiid new title

    Philon’s addition also provides the Sixers with some reserve guard insurance. The Sixers lost sharpshooter Jared McCain, their 2024 first-round pick, in a controversial trade at the February deadline. And sixth man Quentin Grimes is about to enter unrestricted free agency, after signing a one-year qualifying offer following a messy restricted free agency period last summer.

    Philon joins a Sixers team in an interesting spot under Gansey, who ran the draft in his previous job as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ general manager. Gansey also kept intact the bulk of the Sixers’ front office that has made strong selections in recent drafts, including Maxey at 21 in 2020 and Edgecombe third overall last year.

    The Sixers finished seventh in the Eastern Conference standings during the regular season, with a 45-37 record. They then rallied from down three-games-to-one to beat the Boston Celtics in the playoffs’ first round, before getting swept by the eventual NBA-champion New York Knicks.

    Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansy said he couldn’t pass up the chance to select Labaron Philon Jr.

    In addition to Maxey and Edgecome, former perennial All-Stars Joel Embiid and Paul George are still effective — even fantastic — when available. But both veterans have struggled mightily to stay on the floor in recent seasons due to injury or, in George’s case, a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. Embiid, George, and Maxey also remain on max contracts for multiple seasons, limiting the Sixers’ financial flexibility this offseason.

    But the first move of the Gansey front office era broke in the Sixers’ favor.

    Because they may have snagged the draft’s biggest sleeper.

    “Whatever the situation I’m put in,” Philon said, “really just growing in it and being comfortable, really. I would say that’s the biggest thing for me.”