Thanks for following along with tonight’s coverage of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. More to come tomorrow on the Sixers’ selection of Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22 overall and potential second-round activity.

Nick Nurse says "the talent is there" with Labaron Philon Jr., and it was "too much talent to not take in that position."

Nick Nurse, asked about the league getting longer, pointed out that it is also getting faster, and calls it a positive for the Sixers. "Can we get our asses back and guard 'em? Can we keep up and keep them off the glass? We need to be able to do both of those things."

Asked Nick Nurse for a scouting report of a player he coached in one Summer League by the name of Mike Gansey: "You could probably guess it: good shooter, played hard. If there was a hustle award, he would have won it."

Asked Nick Nurse about his early experiences working with Mike Gansey and his reaction to Daryl Morey's departure: "It's been great working with Mike... Great composure, very smart." "Really enjoyed working with Daryl... Very enjoyable... Wish him the best."

Nick Nurse is not sure about three-guard lineups with Labaron Philon Jr., Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, but thinks Philon can play right away and can play both guard positions.

Nick Nurse calls Labaron Philon Jr. an "exciting" player who can play like Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Mentioned Philon's deep range and pick-and-roll chops.

Nick Nurse on the Labaron Philon Jr. pick: "My initial thoughts are he is a really talented scorer, really fast and explosive and can really get it in the bucket." Nurse highlights Philon's swagger and confidence and said he played in a "pro-style" offense at Alabama.

Mike Gansey on potentially trading into tomorrow's second round: "We don't have a pick now, but [we'll discuss] where we can get in, who we want to target." Gansey says the Sixers want to be aggressive and points out that "we have roster spots."

Mike Gansey on VJ Edgecombe: "He's a stud, on and off the court... I'm just excited we have VJ... He doesn't know how good he can be."

Mike Gansey, asked if Labaron Philon Jr. being picked with the asset the Sixers acquired for Jared McCain for No. 22, says he was not here when the trade was made but "I hope [Philon is] good" and someone that people "like as much as Jared."

Mike Gansey mentioned wanting to get Tyrese Maxey off the ball more often and believes the Labaron Philon Jr. pick will help in that effort.

Asked Mike Gansey if the Labaron Philon Jr. pick will impact Quentin Grimes' upcoming free agency: "This doesn't change it." Gansey says "hopefully" the Sixers bring back Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr., adding the team has been in contract with both of their representatives.

Mike Gansey says Labaron Philon Jr. can learn from VJ Edgecombe on defense. Said as a freshman, Philon picked up full-court, showed good instincts, toughness, hands, physicality, competitiveness. "He'll try to hold his own. The hope is he can be average to above-average."

"The Sixers got better with Labaron [Philon Jr.]," Mike Gansey said. Up next: the second round. Gansey said the Sixers will "maybe" try to go and get someone after shuffling their board before turning their attention to free agency.

Mike Gansey liked the Sixers' range at No. 22 before knowing Labaron Philon – "a lot higher" on their board – would fall. "I think this is a really deep draft, at least in the top 20-ish." "There's so many good guards in this draft," Gansey said, that he expected one to fall.

Mike Gansey highlighted Labaron Philon's efficiency and turnover avoidance as a high-usage, high-minute guard at Alabama playing against a very challenging slate of opponents.

Mike Gansey credits Jameer Nelson, Prosper Karangwa, Kevin Owens and the rest of the Sixers' staff for doing "the heavy lifting" with this draft process. "They did an incredible job. Our group is super thorough... It was very impressive to see."

Mike Gansey says Nick Nurse thinks "at times" Labaron Philon Jr. could play with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. "I don't see a lot of minutes, but maybe in certain situations I can."

Mike Gansey says the Labaron Philon Jr. pick "helps" Nick Nurse, citing the massive workloads shouldered by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe last year. Says Philon needs to put on weight but "really guarded." "I know it's in him... he's competitive." "We can't have enough guards."

Mike Gansey says the Labaron Philon Jr. pick was a combination of fit vs. best player available. He was their highest-ranked player, much higher than No. 22 overall. "We need help at every position," Gansey said. "One through five."

Mike Gansey says Labaron Philon Jr. will learn from Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. "He's a hooper. He just finds a way." Talked about a game against Tennessee in which Philon took over down the stretch. Mentioned he played through injuries this season.

Mike Gansey thinks Labaron Philon Jr.'s toughness, edge, loyalty and swag will make him a good fit in Philadelphia. "We were very very excited he was there."

Asked Mike Gansey why Labaron Philon Jr. was the Sixers' pick at No. 22 overall: "He was pretty high on our board... Surprised a bit he was there." Says he is close friends with Alabama's athletic trainer. Says Philon can play on and off the ball. Called him "dynamic."

Labaron Philon Jr. knows Philadelphia fans are passionate and is excited to be part of it. It's going to get "better and better," he said. He wants to help the Sixers become "a better organization."

Labaron Philon Jr. says he feels he has developed as a ball-handler and aims to get stronger in order to guard 1-3 or 1-4. He says he wants to "sharpen all his skills and stay level-headed" after mentioning his ball-handling package. "Some people call it a bag."

Labaron Philon Jr. has never been to Philadelphia. "I've heard they've got great cheesesteaks." Says he knows and has played against VJ Edgecombe in high school and has loved watching him "go out there and kill" in the NBA. Said Edgecombe was great on "all levels."

Labaron Philon Jr. says he studied Tyrese Maxey because of Maxey's ability to create his own shot, selflessness and fearlessness taking tough shots. "At the guard spot, that's really what you need: someone that's going to be a great leader." Mentioned Maxey welcoming VJ Edgecombe.

Labaron Philon Jr. on his fit with Tyrese Maxey + VJ Edgecombe: "Just making the game easier on them, being able to take the pressure off [them]... I would just say with Joel and all the other guys... it's special." Philon says he doesn't prefer playing on or off the ball.

Asked Labaron Philon Jr. if he had pre-draft contact with the Sixers + what stands out to him about his fit. Said he talked to Jameer Nelson + others at the combine this year & talked to them last year. Said he wants to play fast-paced basketball with Tyrese Maxey + VJ Edgecombe.

Get to know the newest member of the Sixers, Labaron Philon Jr., with a batch of highlights. He is a fun player to watch: www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...

Labaron Philon Jr. is the pick. The Sixers have another guard, drafted with the pick that compelled them to part with Jared McCain at the trade deadline: www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...

Updated look at the trade between the Sixers and Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to on 2/4/26: Sixers receive: Labaron Philon Jr., 2027 second-round pick (most favorable OKC/HOU/IND/MIA), 2028 Milwaukee second-round pick, 2028 OKC second-round pick Thunder receive: Jared McCain

The Sixers are on the clock with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Among the many names available: Cameron Carr, Labaron Philon Jr., Chris Cenac Jr., Koa Peat, Zuby Ejiofor, Isaiah Evans, Joshua Jefferson.

For the first time tonight, a player with a connection to the Sixers goes off the board. Dailyn Swain from Texas is Chicago's pick at No. 15 overall. Everybody else you have seen mocked to the Sixers over the last few months remains available.

New: Happy Draft Day! Here's a Sixers mailbag: - Early FA signings: do PHX deals impact Quentin Grimes? Could Sixers sign Grimes or Kelly Oubre Jr. early? - Drafting for need vs. BPA - How lottery reform impacts value of 2028/2029 Clippers picks - more! www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...

New: 5 Sixers thoughts is live. Happy draft week! - An obvious potential trade partner with the Sixers across three different types of deals - Potential targets in trades up the board - An intriguing prospect possibly falling to No. 22 - Move down? - more! www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...

Five minutes!

Programming note: I’ll be on 97.5 The Fanatic talking Sixers ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft tomorrow morning at 8:05. Tune in!

Hawks get a fine player on a good contract for free! Wiggins was Sixers’ primary target at trade deadline last season; there was hope the Jared McCain trade could have become a McCain-for-Wiggins deal but it did not come to fruition.

Programming note: I’ll be on CBS3 tonight at 11:35 p.m. talking Sixers and 2026 NBA Draft with @patgallen.bsky.social. Tune in!

Get your Sixers mock drafts here! www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...

Officially taking questions for next week’s Sixers mailbag, which will run on Tuesday – hours before the 2026 NBA Draft! Happy to talk draft, trade options, Mike Gansey, Bob Myers, looking ahead to free agency, beat writing and anything else that is on your mind. Fire away!

New: I've been asking my favorite NBA Draft experts which prospects they believe the Sixers should be targeting at No. 22 overall. The result: five Sixers-specific Q&As about players that could be in their range. They are all great and they are all here! www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...

Big thank you to @tonyreast.bsky.social for helping me with contract estimates for this year’s Sixers free agency primer.

New: In May of 2025, I talked to @baumboards.bsky.social about the idea of the Sixers drafting a guard from Baylor named VJ Edgecombe. So, we had to run it back. Now, Maxwell is making the case for a much different prospect: Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson: www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...

New: The 2026 NBA Draft is five days away. Get your Sixers mock drafts here... www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...

People don’t give the WooSox enough credit.

Several months of earnestly telling people that I think Alan Rangel might be decent could pay off in short order.

ICYMI: On another Paul George trade idea – inspired by the 2026 NBA Finals – and landing spots should the Sixers utilize their collection of future second-round picks to get into the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft... www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...