The Sixers selected Alabama guard Labaron Philon with the No. 22 pick in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Philon was widely considered among the best players available, but the move has been met with mixed reviews from the fan base.

With a clear need for size and rebounding, the Sixers drafted a guard who has no clear path to starting, but that doesn’t mean that Philon can’t play a The Sixers undoubtedly need size, but as President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey has made clear multiple times in his early tenure, the Sixers have many needs across all positions, not just size and rebounding.

Philon provides necessary guard depth behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Last season, the Sixers’ lack of depth and talent at the position was clear, even before the Jared McCain trade. As a result, Maxey led the entire NBA in minutes per game (38) while Edgecombe led all rookies and averaged the 11th most minutes (35) in the league. That heavy workload had a clear effect on both players in the postseason.

Capable both on and off the ball, Philon’s versatility allows him to complement both Maxey and Edgecombe, though he’s not likely to be used in three-guard lineups as often as Quentin Grimes. His skill set is also unique as he relies on crafty ball-handling and patient, purposeful footwork as he works his way toward the basket.

For all his talents, playmaking for others remains an area of opportunity for Maxey and the Sixers, but it is a primary strength for Philon. Immediately, he will become the Sixers’ most talented facilitator, arguably since James Harden.

His ability to control the offense in the half-court opens the floor alongside Maxey, allowing the two-time All-Star to find more opportunities off the catch. Philon will also give the Sixers a reliable operator in pick-and-roll actions.

Philon’s size has been the primary criticism levied against him and the Sixers for the selection. Measuring in at the NBA Draft Combine at 6 feet 2.5 inches without shoes and 176.2 pounds, the concerns aren’t entirely unfounded, but his 6-foot-6.25-inch wingspan and an 8-foot-3.5-inch standing reach are comparable to perimeter stopper Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic. The real key to Philon becoming a capable NBA defender will be his ability to add weight in a responsible way over the years to come.

The concern is that between his freshman and sophomore years at Alabama, Philon added little weight. In a lower usage role, with the help of an NBA player performance and health staff, he may be able to address those concerns, but it may take time for him to add significant weight to his frame.

While much of the predraft work on Philon and the Sixers’ entire prospect board was led by executive vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson, assistant general manager Prosper Karangwa, and lead scout Kevin Owens, the execution shows not only Mike Gansey’s trust in his team, but also informs about his overall draft approach, which had been a mystery of discussion up until the draft.

Gansey ran the draft process in Cleveland, but he ultimately answered to Koby Altman. In his first opportunity running the entire show for an NBA franchise, Gansey mentioned multiple times that they felt Philon was the top player on their draft board among the available options, while also mentioning him as a player who solves a major need for the Sixers, who have multiple needs moving forward.

“We kind of need help at every position, and Labaron we had high on our board,” Gansey said after the conclusion of the first round. “If we had the same guy as high on the board that was a wing or a big, we would have taken him.”

Gansey also referred to Philon as a “dynamic” player, one who “plays with an edge.” The kind of player that Gansey described in his introductory presser as one the team wants, mirroring the desires that Tyrese Maxey identified for the team ahead of last season.

The opportunity to address the rest of the roster will come through future drafts, the trade deadline and an upcoming free-agency period that remains shrouded in uncertainty. While Gansey said the team would ideally like to retain Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre and that the selection of Philon had no bearing on the future of Grimes, the Sixers have the opportunity to add an impact player in free agency at the risk of parting with Grimes, Oubre or both.

Despite that uncertainty, Gansey and the front office clearly believe that Philon was not only the best available layer, but also solves an immediate need for the team moving forward as the organization looks to establish a culture and identity for the Sixers.

MORE: Sixers select playmaking guard Labaron Philon with No. 22 pick in 2026 NBA Draft

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