When Daryl Morey sent Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a draft pick package at last season’s trade deadline, it was not a widely praised move.
Quite the opposite, actually — amongst fans, media members and McCain’s former teammates alike.
With Morey gone and his replacement Mike Gansey having one of the greatest offseasons in Philadelphia sports history, Sixers fans no longer have to lament every productive performance from McCain for one of the NBA’s best teams.
As a reminder, one of the
picks the Sixers received in that deal was a 2026 first-rounder, which the team used to select Alabama guard Labaron Philon, Jr. 22nd overall. If not for the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Philon would’ve likely been unfairly compared to McCain all season. Now, Philon is free to be himself and play.
And so far, he’s made a strong impression.
Head coach Nick Nurse has been effusive in his praise for the 20-year-old guard. Earlier in the week, Nurse complimented Philon’s compete level after a couple defensive-heavy and physical practices. Nurse also said the young guard’s vision has stood out.
On Friday, Nurse spoke about Philon’s ability as a natural point guard to get his teammates organized.
“What’s showing more is his ability to kind of run an offense,” Nurse said at the team’s practice facility, “get guys where they need — like really, really takes command of getting people where they need to be, making a decisive play call or whatever it is, and getting it executed.
“And then also he’s got a bit of when things are getting a little haywire, and he’s got a little bit of ability to break away and get some space and get into the paint, and then create the offense that way.”
Philon showed off his two-way prowess at Alabama, but not during the same season.
As a freshman, he was the Crimson Tide’s guard stopper, picking up full court and hounding opposing ball-handlers, while All-American Mark Sears ran the offense. As a sophomore last season, it was Philon’s show as he averaged over 22 points a game and was named an All-American himself.
Now, it’s about Philon finding a way to meld those abilities at the NBA level. At his first pro training camp, he’s learning and earning praise.
“Teammates and coaches just encouraging me to be myself, really,” Philon said. “That’s one of the things Coach Rico [Hines] and the guys been telling me — just be yourself and be able to play great basketball, make plays for your teammates, and cheer on your teammates too, and just like be a great leader, be a great teammate. I feel like everybody’s been doing that so far, and that’s what we’ve been preaching.”
There’s no shortage of veteran teammates to learn from.
He asked Brown about his ability to make tough shots in traffic. He’s picked James’ brain about his longevity.
James also provided a fun “Welcome to the NBA” moment on the first day of camp.
“I would say the first play of training camp, LeBron was coming at me full speed,” Philon said. “I was backpedaling, and that’s when the moment really hit. I was like, ‘Alright, like it’s here now.‘”
A benefit of being surrounded by star teammates is getting to practice against them on a daily basis.
“But I would say just being able to stand my ground, like knowing that I can compete against these guys at high levels,” Philon said. “Jaylen’s been making me work every day, all day. So it’s like going against guys like that. I can build more confidence if I’m guarding my teammates in a great way. But those guys are trying to do their best to go at me, and just as a young guy, that’s what you want because if I can guard these guys, I feel like I’m gonna be able to guard anybody across from us or the next opponent.”
But what did he do when James, a physical specimen at 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, came barreling towards him?
“I tried to go for the strip,” Philon said. “He passed the ball across [the court].”
Of course there’s probably no better player for Philon to learn from than Tyrese Maxey.
The Sixers drafted Maxey 21st overall and he was also joining a team with stars and championship aspirations. Even under Doc Rivers, who was notorious for not playing young guys, Maxey forced his way into minutes as a 20-year-old. While Nurse doesn’t have the reputation to the level of Rivers, he also doesn’t have the greatest track record with playing young players.
Philon has a great sounding board in Maxey.
“I would just say the one-on-one talks,” Philon said, “like during practice, like when I’m making great plays, he’ll probably pull me to the side and just like tell me the concepts and the reasons that if this is not open or I don’t have a shot, these are the reads we want to make and stuff like that. … He’s been helping me out pretty well. Ever since I got on the floor and stepped into this building, he’s been helping me.”
Philon has also learned a bit from a former Sixers nemesis — Rajon Rondo, who visited Mobile on occasion when Philon was there. Philon said he’s studied the retired point guard’s defense and wants to be to able get in passing lanes and create turnovers like Rondo once did.
In his second season, Rondo was surrounded by future Hall of Famers Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Much like Rondo in helping the Boston Celtics win a championship, Philon’s focus will be on keeping things simple.
“I feel like for me, the best decision is making the easiest play,” Philon said. “Right now, I don’t really need no showtime or kind of flashy plays. The position I’m in right now, it’s like making the right play every time, it’d be great for me.”
With James and Brown here, Sixers fans have largely forgotten about the Jared McCain trade.
Labaron Philon might make people remember it for all the right reasons.
