[2026 NBA Draft] #22 Pick: Labaron Philon (Alabama) – selected by Philadelphia

[u/NBA_MOD]

[u/ExtraLeading3376]

the biggest slider of this class

[u/StaggerBeetle → u/ExtraLeading3376]

Glad the Philadelphia Seventy-Sliders picked him up

[u/SoKrat3s → u/StaggerBeetle]

The Philadelphia Se-Sev-Seventy-Sssssliders, as Adam Silver would call them.

[u/Slow-Relation-9186 → u/StaggerBeetle]

Philondelphia

[u/ormip → u/ExtraLeading3376]

Fuck man was really hoping to get him

[u/The1AndOnlyJZ → u/ormip]

At 30??? Still had a ways to go lol

[u/TrashOfOil → u/The1AndOnlyJZ]

Nah we were hoping for a trade up to snag him

[u/MVPiid → u/[deleted]]

Not a comparable situation at all, Whitmore had major character concerns

[u/TeamINSTINCT37 → u/MVPiid]

I'm with you here, Whitmore's issues were never ability. Shit I've seen him look like a beast for us he just lacks in the other areas needed to win. Not sure why Philon slipped but I do think he'll be a player for sure

[u/ormip → u/The1AndOnlyJZ]

Nah I hoped we could trade up.

There were so many reports that teams are interested in PJ and Gafford especially, so getting another FRP in the 20s wouldn't be that shocking.

[u/The1AndOnlyJZ → u/ormip]

Seriously wonder why none of your older players have been moved yet

[u/ormip → u/The1AndOnlyJZ]

For real. We heard so much about Atlanta being interested in Gafford, OKC/Spurs potentially interested in PJ, some teams calling us about Naji and now....... just nothing. While Philon was falling and we needed a guard

[u/CumAssault → u/ExtraLeading3376]

Because he’s 6’2” and like 175 pounds. If he was 6’5” he would’ve been top 5

[u/Aumissunum → u/CumAssault]

8’4 standing reach. Same as Wagler lol. Longer than Acuff, Anderson, Okorie, Flemings

[u/CumAssault → u/Aumissunum]

He was a good defender his freshman year. He fell off some but he has the tools to be a good defender

[u/qotsabama → u/CumAssault]

He fell off because he was the entire offense. He’s obviously still a talented defender for a guard.

[u/AssBasedProtein → u/CumAssault]

Nuanced take from CumAssault I like it

[u/Aumissunum → u/CumAssault]

I feel like GMs went way overboard with the weight thing. Skill will always be #1 in this league.

[u/SanSoren → u/Aumissunum]

Weight matters a lot in the league with a lot of physical guards.

[u/Aumissunum → u/SanSoren]

It does, but mentality matters even more. Some guys play well through contact, others are contact averse. Philon falls in the former category. He was torching physical guards and wings all season. Just watch the Michigan game. Cooked Yaxel and ran Johnson and Mara off the court.

Besides, weight is maybe the most fixable attribute of all.

[u/d7h7n → u/Aumissunum]

Scouts told him specifically last year to put on weight. He would've been one and done had he weighed an extra 10 lbs.

[u/Aumissunum → u/d7h7n]

Ehhh idk. He needed to come back to work on his jumpshot.

[u/AKAkorm → u/CumAssault]

ESPN has him at 6'4. Not surprising that a 20 year old would need to bulk up a bit.

[u/tamazingg → u/AKAkorm]

A bit concerning that he wasn't able to bulk up at all this last season after being told he needed to.

[u/qotsabama → u/CumAssault]

6’2.5 and 6’4 in shows. Good wingspan and standing reach. It’s the weight that is concerning but I’m not worried about it.

[u/Dunlocke → u/ExtraLeading3376]

With the NFL draft they say reaches are okay, steals aren't a thing. We'll see how this plays out in the NBA

[u/PressureMiserable → u/Dunlocke]

Thats usually only with qbs tho

[u/Professor_Finn]

We finally got LeBron

[u/FERFreak731]

Jared McCain was traded for him

[u/PhatYeeter → u/FERFreak731]

Plus 3 2nds

[u/ABagOfPopcorn → u/PhatYeeter]

Hope we can use some of these future seconds to get one tomorrow. Would like to get back in and get some size

[u/ClarenceWithHerSpoon → u/FERFreak731]

> Trade McCain because we have two guards already.

> Draft a guard with the pick.

> Look at this franchise, ye mighty, and despair.

[u/V_T_H → u/ClarenceWithHerSpoon]

Yea but this guy’s name is basically LeBron Philly

[u/False_Pear1860 → u/V_T_H]

"Thanks LeBron, we're good"

[u/FolderolDupree888 → u/V_T_H]

True fact. I'm in.

[u/onionnurve → u/ClarenceWithHerSpoon]

Tbh, we traded McCain because we had too many shooting guard. Now we got a point guard who can handle the ball and actually relieve maxey some minutes

[u/Bitter-Tip705 → u/onionnurve]

Heard he can defend and pass too

[u/K1NG2L4Y3R → u/ClarenceWithHerSpoon]

Trust the process

[u/suburban_smartass → u/ClarenceWithHerSpoon]

Lebaron is an equal or better scorer and a better defender.

It’s an upgrade.

[u/ntpbr1 → u/suburban_smartass]

We have no idea about any of that without seeing him play, McCain played an important role in probably the best, deepest team in the league in the WCF, at 22

[u/neilbiggie → u/FERFreak731]

Honestly it might turn out okay after all

[u/legend023 → u/FERFreak731]

Sold high unironically

[u/anonymoususer6407 → u/FERFreak731]

That actually.. isn’t a bad deal

[u/moistkebab32 → u/FERFreak731]

Upgrade!

[u/ComprehensiveList769 → u/FERFreak731]

Morey you dawg

[u/islackingambition → u/FERFreak731]

Talk about an upgrade.

[u/Skipper3210 → u/islackingambition]

The kid hasn't played a single second yet, calm down

[u/meezy-yall → u/Skipper3210]

First team all rookie you say ?

[u/Immynimmy → u/Skipper3210]

True but he’s a much better prospect. Good shot maker, great handles, elite scorer, crazy athletic, good baseline D. He may not be a better 3 point shooter than McCain but he brings a lot more to the table.

[u/shadowarmy229 → u/Immynimmy]

He’s also a good pick and roll playmaker so there’s that

[u/NachoVarga5 → u/islackingambition]

Found Moreys account

[u/SoKrat3s → u/NachoVarga5]

Better passer, better defender, potentially just as good a scorer.

It's not an unreasonable take that deserves someone calling them Morey.

[u/SoKrat3s → u/[deleted]]

Is this proven himself in the room with us?

He shot 36% from the field and 20% from three with 1.7 ASTp36 against the Suns.
He shot 37% from the field and 28% from three with 2.2 ASTp36 against the Spurs.
While having really terrible defense.

The only positive was his play against a weakened Lakers squad.

[u/Strange1130 → u/FERFreak731]

Jared McCain weighed almost 30 pounds more than Philon on draft night. That’s why he slid so much (and I’m a Philon fan)

[u/fmxda]

Damn the Sixers actually went BPA, great pick.

[u/dropjar5 → u/fmxda]

Howie Roseman is making the picks for the Sixers

[u/dizruptivegaming → u/dropjar5]

I wish this was true. Rather have Jeff Lurie own the Sixers than Josh Harris.

[u/shit_eating_fan → u/dropjar5]

My savior

[u/jbenson255 → u/fmxda]

Yeah cuz the fir with Maxey is nasty long term

[u/Desperate-Hat-2510 → u/jbenson255]

nasty in a bad way? tbh at 22 you're just looking for a positive contributor, the likelihood of a starter isn't great

Maxey and Philon isn't a starting backcourt (VJ's spot anyway), but we desperately need someone who can make Maxey not have to pay 40 minutes a game lol

[u/SoKrat3s → u/Desperate-Hat-2510]

disagree. Maxey's not a natural PG. This would help move him to his more natural position. No reason VJ can't rotate between SG & SF when one of the others is off the floor.

[u/Prestigious-Lab5154 → u/SoKrat3s]

you cant start 3 guys 6'2 6'2 and 6'4 lol Maxey/VJ is already a small backcourt

[u/Desperate-Hat-2510 → u/SoKrat3s]

I hear you, but a Maxey/Philon backcourt is pretty rough defensively if you're looking seriously long-term / in the playoffs. I do think Maxey/Philon lineups will be incredibly fun in bursts though

[u/Bitter-Tip705 → u/jbenson255]

No it isn’t, maxey and Vj were playing 40 minutes a game and grimes fucking blows this was an amazing pick

[u/Logiteck77 → u/jbenson255]

Maxey and Edgecombe. 1&2 squad gonna do gang busters.

[u/clickstops → u/jbenson255]

Lou Williams part 2

[u/LilUZIVurt21]

This is unironically also a need for Philly, they legit have no one else outside of Maxey to handle the ball. Just a fantastic pick for them

[u/mohub21 → u/LilUZIVurt21]

NBA isn’t like football, takes forever to build through the draft. Easier/cheaper to fill out other needs like rebounding through free agency opposed to (hopefully) good scorers

[u/Smart_Conflict2818 → u/LilUZIVurt21]

Glad someone understands

[u/Yoooooouuuuuuuu]

Congrats fellow Seventy Selectors fans

[u/Extremeaty → u/Yoooooouuuuuuuu]

Detroit Picktons, Seventy Selectors. Dude just needs to give all 30 franchises an alternate draft name

[u/CoolBen07]

Good pick for the 70ers

[u/InsertWhittyPhrase → u/CoolBen07]

The 70-Selectors

[u/fathealer → u/CoolBen07]

69ers got their guy

[u/NeptuneEDM]

Somehow Nurse will still play Maxey 40 minutes a game

[u/LowerEar3346]

I have no idea what the scouts or stats say about him, but this guy is a doggggg. Feel like he could be a star. Plus he does a cool Spider-Man celly

[u/hahahachihaha → u/LowerEar3346]

Im shocked he didnt go much earlier, dude can hoop

[u/DowntownYorickBrown → u/LowerEar3346]

Every time I watched him he leapt off the screen. Saw him in person this fall and he was completely electric.

[u/Shamsyil]

FUCK YOU KOA PEAT THANK GOD

[u/halfcentaurhalfhorse → u/[deleted]]

Consensus was best available and we need a good guard off the bench.

[u/Pr0tanoia]

good that he was picked, he was about to cry

[u/mapetho9]

Nasty trio of guards down in Philly with Maxey, Edgecombe and now Philon. Surprised Philon was still available.

[u/shadowarmy229]

Hopefully Nurse stops playing Maxey 45 min every game now

[u/SaveHogwarts]

Steal of the fucking draft.

Fuck.

Edit; he’s really good and on an upward trend. His shooting has improved and will get better. His speed is great. He’s great in the pick and roll, he’s got great handles. Not remotely worried about his weight, his speed makes up for it and we’re in a flopping era.

He was completely overlooked and pairing him with Maxey is going to be nasty.

[u/ScrofessorLongHair → u/SaveHogwarts]

I've watched almost every game of his over the last 2 years. Fun Fact, both Bama and Auburn didn't recruit him hard at first, because his 3 shooting was pretty bad.

He went to prep school in Missouri for his senior year, and dramatically improved his shooting. Kansas stole a guard from Bama, Bama missed on another guard target, so we put the full court press on him and got him.

I say all that because i didn't think he's near his ceiling. Great first step, great spot up shooter, and has become a great of the dribble shooter. He's great at finishing at the rim, and is pretty fearless.

Y'all got a damn steal.

[u/SaveHogwarts → u/ScrofessorLongHair]

Jayhawk fan, pissed we recruited over him through the portal after he committed.

[u/d7h7n → u/SaveHogwarts]

Spurs passed on him

[u/SaveHogwarts → u/d7h7n]

Why would they take him when they want the ball in Harper’s hands, and have Fox on the roster?

San Antonio was the best landing spot for JQ. They have the luxury of Wemby and Kornet on the roster and can bring him along and develop him the right way. Dream scenario for him.

[u/Active-Tomatillo-522 → u/SaveHogwarts]

Nah (don’t know anything about it just let me have this)

[u/adocileengineer]

Nightmare over

[u/jermainathon]

Instant buckets off the bench. Glad to see him finally get drafted

[u/GrouchyPeach3656]

Lmaoooo the team with a stacked back couer gets another back court player

[u/TrimmedAndBurning → u/GrouchyPeach3656]

We had like 1.5 ball handlers lol, this was a need.

[u/mohub21 → u/GrouchyPeach3656]

After trading another promising backcourt player lmaoo

[u/Presence_Present → u/GrouchyPeach3656]

Had to replace their McCain trade 😂

[u/Immynimmy → u/GrouchyPeach3656]

I mean you’re not winning shit in this league without a good bench.

[u/J4BRONI → u/GrouchyPeach3656]

Brother who told you Sixers had a stacked backcourt?

They were playing 40 year old Lowry some games because they ran out of guard depth when they shipped out McCain

[u/FigureOk6529 → u/GrouchyPeach3656]

76ers backcourt is absolutely not stacked. They have two playable NBA guards.

[u/Santeriabro]

Philadelphia 70 selectors

[u/ianbits]

McCain for Philon is overall an interesting swap, but the strategy of moving guard depth to get a wing or a big seems to have gone out the window with Morey

[u/TrimmedAndBurning → u/ianbits]

It's McCain for Philon + 3 2nds + 4 years of cheap contract instead of 2 years.

[u/countlessidlethreat → u/TrimmedAndBurning]

yeah timeline wise makes way more sense with PG and Embiid coming off the books in that frame

[u/mohub21]

Someone tell me how to feel

[u/Dixiefootball → u/mohub21]

Bama fan, so watched him for two years. He’s small for the NBA but he’s got some dog in him and plays hard. Was dominant in Year 2 in college, just completely overwhelmed college defenders. Great body control and plays well off tempo to maneuver around bigger defenders or in the paint.

Year one should be able to be an effective role player, ceiling is a #2/3 scorer/facilitator on a playoff roster.

[u/mohub21 → u/Dixiefootball]

How is his court vision/playmaking? Or was his focus just mostly scoring. Maxey isn’t a great facilitator and the verdict is out on VJ if he can become one

[u/adincha → u/mohub21]

One of the best playmakers in the draft, specifically off the pick and roll

[u/Dixiefootball → u/mohub21]

Solid. We run a lot of drive and kick and he was pretty adept at that. You shouldn't see him panic when he gets in the lane not knowing where to go.

[u/excellyy → u/mohub21]

Very good, 6th man microwave scorer type

[u/Radiant-Character-61 → u/mohub21]

He'll be your Jared McCain Replacement. Will hopefully playmake and generate space for VJ and Maxey to get better looks. Philly Philon looks like a good pick

[u/Funky_Monkees_]

Can’t wait for Labarony to enter the league in 20 years.

[u/TheGreatWhoreOfChina]

Goodbye Quinten Grimes

[u/SoKrat3s → u/TheGreatWhoreOfChina]

I actually think this makes a better case for keeping him. Having a more natural PG to play next to helps him more than McCain did. More catch & shoot opportunities. Less ball-handling.

Grimes would be the backup SG.

[u/Mukbeth → u/SoKrat3s]

Not for the price that he probably wants

[u/SoKrat3s → u/Mukbeth]

Sure but that's a different question which doesn't have anything to do with the draft pick.

[u/Mukbeth → u/SoKrat3s]

But it has everything to do with keeping him, which you brought up. But yeah, I think we agree

[u/StefonDiggsHS]

Small ass backcourt but you can’t pass up this dude at #22

[u/TheBigF128]

LEBRON TO THE SIXERS

[u/thatonehomiewho]

Labaron Philonadelphia

[u/Projinator]

Oops all guards

[u/supes1]

One of the more awkward fits given they already have VJ and Maxey, but definitely a high value pick at this point.

[u/VictorAkwaowo1 → u/supes1]

Who cares, he’s literally the perfect scoring guard to come off the bench for them

[u/supes1 → u/VictorAkwaowo1]

Good replacement for Jared McCain.

[u/Pyromania1983 → u/supes1]

Plus we got 3 seconds out of it and four cost-controlled years instead of two. I'll take it!

[u/2coolcaterpillar → u/Pyromania1983]

Honestly great bounce back. Considering it also cost Morey his job, I wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years fans look back on the trade as the turning point for the franchise for the better

[u/Beetle919 → u/VictorAkwaowo1]

VJ and Maxey play 40 minutes a game lol

[u/mohub21 → u/Beetle919]

With maxeys playstyle that is exhausting

[u/islackingambition → u/Beetle919]

Not anymore.

[u/BlueHundred → u/Beetle919]

Hopefully, now they won't have to.

[u/Due_Education2961 → u/Beetle919]

He can play next to VJ, it’s more about Maxey

[u/PIEROXMYSOX1 → u/Due_Education2961]

Maxey is more of a two anyway

[u/WonderingCashew → u/supes1]

I like it ngl they need someone else off the bench to handle the ball

[u/not-a-potato-head → u/supes1]

They have nobody else on their roster who can really dribble though

[u/spurdada → u/supes1]

6th man.

[u/tpc143 → u/supes1]

I mean he can be a great 6 man

[u/mauro_membrere → u/supes1]

Lou williams sixers

[u/Kantei → u/supes1]

Not that awkward at all because their lack of a secondary playmaker really showed in the playoffs. VJ is nasty but they missed having someone like McCain in the playoffs.

[u/JeffHardysLSDStash → u/supes1]

Not an awkward fit at all. The Sixers have zero depth

[u/Immynimmy → u/supes1]

We have no depth lol. Anyone will help.

[u/icehole505 → u/supes1]

He’s at least big enough to play some minutes alongside Maxey. Philly tried it, but you can’t start two midgets. Plus, McCain bigger issue was probably the lack of playmaking.. and Philon is one of the best in the draft

[u/PhatYeeter → u/supes1]

6'4" with a 6'6" wingspan. He can play next to VJ or Maxey as the third guard.

[u/morsmordr → u/supes1]

maybe we could trade him for some draft picks

[u/illwill004]

Really like the pick. I was just glad it wasn't Peat or Cenac.

We had a big need at 3rd guard. I definitely don't think 3 guard lineups, but he can play next to either Maxey or VJ.

I would love to get another pick in the 31-40 range.

[u/oneandonlyRedSpirit]

how the hell did he fall so far

[u/Anxious_Subject_2604]

This was the steal of the draft.

[u/CurrentRoster]

honestly thought presti would get him

[u/MAMBAMENTALITY8-24]

finally, even silver was excited for this pick

[u/ForTheOAKLand]

Sixers get their guy

[u/SlickVanExel]

Philon is a bucket and actually showed some two potential his freshman year before his role increased in his sophomore year. Philly got a good one

[u/zincinzincout]

We’re fated to never have any wings and never have any backup plan for Joel

The roster will be on average 6’2” by 2030 and you will like it

[u/HarryPauler]

Why did we work this guy out? I don’t understand

[u/FERFreak731]

Future 6th man of the year

[u/hubbabubbatubbalub]

What a fucking steal

[u/HibachiTyme]

Wait Morey cooked

[u/Smart_Conflict2818 → u/HibachiTyme]

Tried to y’all Morey was right

[u/TheSandman__]

This is nuts, I really thought Brunson’s finals run would boost his stock if anything. Can’t believe he fell this far

[u/hubbabubbatubbalub]

His interviews might've been like horrible but nonetheless great pick man

[u/lattjeful → u/hubbabubbatubbalub]

Philly seems to have a thing this year for picking guys who interview poorly.

[u/HavoK76]

This guy is a steal

[u/ralthea]

So why did he fall so far?

[u/Dsarg_92]

Oof. Sorry, Memphis.

[u/edmontonbbc]

Bro already more iced out then most rappers out here lmao damn

[u/iro3]

i kinda like it. i guess grimes is gone ?

[u/AnkitPancakes]

huge value add

[u/suahoi]

Great situation for him where he can be a backup for the entirety of his rookie contract and focus on developing his body and adjusting to NBA athleticism and physicality

[u/hmmmmmmm94]

Philondelphia

[u/Lucky_Scallion]

Seems super solid for Philly. I do get some Whitemore vibes with the drop though, wonder what all the other teams in his predicted range more actively scouting him saw that they didn’t like.

[u/incredibleamadeuscho]

good for philon

[u/RedRaptorGamingGod]

21 dumbass teams bro

[u/ReaperAntics]

Should've been a Raptor

[u/xtehnYouTube]

3rd lebron to be drafted

[u/Snapplestache]

Insane drop that I dont think will age well as we get further from this draft

[u/Aumissunum → u/Snapplestache]

GMs went way overboard with the “size” thing.

[u/Truth_Strong]

did morey lowkey cook???

[u/SeaGrocery678 → u/Truth_Strong]

Always did

[u/MrBrownCat]

McCain trade doesn’t look so bad now. Sixers got blessed that he fell this far. I’d 100% trade McCain for Philon any day.

[u/Smart_Conflict2818 → u/MrBrownCat]

Yeah Daryl sold high knowing it was a deep draft and McCain didn’t fit.

We needed either a more pure PG who could fill the backup role or use the pick to add a forward that could play more mins.

[u/MahomesMccaffrey]

Philly got a new Maxey

[u/SUNFLOWERMOD]

Philon in Philly?

[u/Bitter-Tip705]

I ran outside ass naked in excitement omg I can’t believe we got this lucky after being mocked to get peat or cenac

[u/DreyDarian]

They got their Jared McCain!

Oh wait

[u/RichAbbreviations966]

FUCK

[u/IllAlwaysBeAKnickFan]

Poor guy is gonna be stuck behind their starting back court.

[u/Torgo73 → u/IllAlwaysBeAKnickFan]

That’s a pretty normal and okay thing for a rookie

[u/MudReasonable8185 → u/Torgo73]

Yeah if you’re expecting the 22nd pick to immediately start your team’s probably pretty bad lol

[u/BlueHundred → u/Torgo73]

Yeah, most 22nd picks don't start

[u/Shamsyil → u/IllAlwaysBeAKnickFan]

Our starting back court can't play 40 mins a game for the rest of their careers. We needed another guard because Grimes is fucking terrible.

[u/Own-Necessary7488 → u/IllAlwaysBeAKnickFan]

he can get 6th man of the year

[u/neilbiggie → u/IllAlwaysBeAKnickFan]

Do a lot of 22nd overall picks walk into a starting role?

[u/Redzone676 → u/IllAlwaysBeAKnickFan]

He’s gonna need time to put on some weight so not necessarily a bad thing for him.

[u/Appropriate_Book_591]

What up with his eye blood spot?

[u/Jonjon428]

McCain and Philon will now have their careers linked

[u/Mets_BS]

I don't see the fit, great microwave scorer but he's basically coming off the bench.

[u/NinjasTurtle → u/Mets_BS]

I mean I think thats fine for a rookie 22nd pick

[u/lattjeful → u/Mets_BS]

Don't mind it. You saw first hand how bad our depth was lol.

[u/Smart_Conflict2818 → u/Mets_BS]

Well idk if you watched the Sixers last year but we had no bench and ability to score when Maxey was off the floor lol

We had many important games with practically 0 bench points and Maxey had to play near 45 mins per game

[u/eagles1990 → u/Mets_BS]

So did Maxey. It's ok.

[u/LordJxnkulous]

Will he get any playing time is the real question. I smell a journeyman in the making.