The 76ers’ offseason move to bring in Labaron Philon may have looked like a head-scratcher at first glance, especially for a team that already has Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and VJ Edgecombe in the backcourt mix. But Nick Nurse sees something bigger in the Alabama guard, and he’s not treating Philon like a luxury add-on.
Philadelphia’s thinking is tied to the long game. The organization believes Philon can matter in a 2027 NBA championship push and beyond, even if that vision doesn’t fit the usual win-now script.
Philon has already given the Sixers a reason to believe. Through two Summer League games, he’s averaged 21 points, 6.5 assists, three rebounds, and a steal while shooting 36.6% from the field. That kind of production usually raises questions for a coach when the roster already includes established scorers, but Nurse is leaning into it.
According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, Nurse said the backcourt picture may be shaped more by the newcomers than the headline names.
"I think Anfernee and Philon are both going to be important. I think both of them are handlers who can play some pick-and-roll and score.
Both of them are super athletes. It seems like we’ve gotten faster and a lot more athletic.
Of course, there are some other issues. We might be a touch small at times, but I certainly take the speed and athleticism.
Then, it’s just up to our staff to get these guys and put them in the right spot,"
That’s the lane Philadelphia seems to want Philon in: a guard who can run offense, make plays, and keep the ball moving. He showed that at Alabama in his final college season, averaging five assists and 22 points per game.
If that growth carries over, Nurse could end up with more than just another young guard. Philon could become the kind of offensive organizer who helps Maxey, Brown, Edgecombe, and even Joel Embiid operate at their best - while also giving the 76ers a real piece for the future.
In Other News...
Sixers Just Made A Frontcourt Move Fans Have Been Waiting On
The 76ers added another frontcourt body on July 6, signing center Ariel Hukporti, according to a team press release. The 7-foot big man arrives after spending last season with the Knicks, where he got into 54 games and was part of their playoff rotation during a run that carried into the postseason.
For Philadelphia, the move is another look at a young center who has already logged meaningful NBA minutes after coming over from overseas and being drafted in 2024. The club did not disclose the terms of the deal, leaving the bigger question on how Hukporti fits into the Sixers frontcourt mix as they continue sorting out depth and size. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Suddenly Face A Nick Nurse Question With Labaron Philon Jr
The Sixers backcourt picture changed again with the addition of Anfernee Simons, and it puts rookie Labaron Philon Jr. in an interesting spot as training camp approaches. Philon is expected to be part of the regular rotation, and his fit matters because Philadelphia is trying to sort out how much creation, pace and ballhandling it can get from its guard group without losing too much on the other end.
Nick Nurses preferences will loom over those decisions, because the Sixers have to balance what Simons brings offensively with what Philon can offer as a young guard who already plays with a polished feel. Philons style also invites the inevitable Tyrese Maxey comparison, since both attack off the dribble and thrive on speed changes, but the bigger question for Philadelphia is how Nurse values those traits when minutes start getting carved up. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Brown Just Put The 76ers Title Push In A Tough Spot
The 76ers spent the offseason chasing a bigger ceiling, and the addition of Jaylen Brown gives them another proven scorer to slot alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. On paper, it is the kind of move that can push a contender closer to the top of the East, but it also changes the shape of the offense in a real way, because Brown has long been at his best when he can create his own looks and attack without waiting for the play to come to him.
Now Philadelphia has Brown, Embiid, Maxey and VJ Edgecombe all needing touches in the same starting group, which is where the fit gets tricky. The 76ers have already learned how awkward it can be when high-usage players are asked to shrink their roles, and Nick Nurse and his staff will have to sort through those on-ball responsibilities before the season starts if this lineup is going to work the way the front office imagined. [Read more 🡒]