Labaron

Philon Jr.

While Philon and the 76ers were on the wrong end of an 87-62 outcome, the rookie guard’s play was one of the bright spots. He played efficiently, shooting the ball well and committing just one turnover, and the defensive stats were there as well. Given Philadelphia’s perimeter rotation, it will be challenging for Philon to get the minutes needed to be relevant in standard redraft leagues. However, he’s a must-have in dynasty leagues because of his upside.

As was the case in his summer debut on Thursday, Philon did not have the best day shooting the basketball. However, he consistently applied pressure to the Pacers’ defense off the dribble and committed two turnovers to go with the six assists. Philadelphia’s perimeter depth may make it challenging for Philon to earn significant minutes as a rookie, but he’s a fun prospect for dynasty league competitors.

Philon didn’t have the most efficient outing, but he was able to showcase why he was such an intriguing prospect out of Alabama. He facilitated well and had some flashy buckets, including a clutch three-pointer late that helped seal the win. Philon has some competition for minutes in the backcourt, so he may not play a ton in year one, but there is a lot to like about him long term.

After a solid freshman campaign, Philon was one of the most productive guards in college basketball last season. Earning multiple All-America honors, he averaged 22.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.5 three-pointers, shooting 50.1 percent from the field and 79.8 percent from the foul line. While Philon needs to cut down on turnovers, he flourished in Nate Oats’ fast-paced system at Alabama. And he’s a more than capable shooter from beyond the arc, having shot 39.9 percent from deep as a sophomore. Philon played at an incredibly high pace at Alabama, which may serve him well at the NBA level. The 76ers add another perimeter playmaker who’s ready to compete immediately, and learning from Tyrese Maxey should benefit Philon.