Many might consider the 2026 NBA Draft class loaded in the lottery, but the Philadelphia 76ers weren't anywhere near the top three this time around. Still, the Sixers were applauded for getting what many considered to be a steal at No. 22 in Labaron Philon Jr.
The trade grades truly favored the Sixers after the first round of the NBA Draft concluded. The start of the 2026 NBA Summer League run in Las Vegas, Nevada, helped strengthen the case.
However, Philon's hot start simmered down a bit and left him off Bleacher Report's All-NBA Summer League squads.
He finished the four-game run with averages of 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals.
Add it to the list of motivation for year one
The second team includes Egor Demin, Allen Graves, Liam McNeeley, Darryn Peterson, and Zyon Pullin.
The first team is made up of Cam Boozer, Brayden Burries, Khaman Maluach, Meleek Thomas, and Caleb Wilson.
It's not a huge deal, considering the Summer League doesn't actually count for anything.
Sometimes players star in Vegas and hardly make an impact anywhere beyond the G League. On the other side, some of the biggest names from the NBA Draft get laughed at for two weeks, but end up finding their stride and competing in the Rookie of the Year race.
Still, Philon seems to possess the kind of competitive nature that would leave him frustrated with his exclusion from a list like this.
And if that's truly the case, then it's great news for the Sixers. Forget being nonchalant and not having a care in the world about recognition. While the Sixers are trying to build a winning culture over the young homegrown core of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, part of getting the best of players is wanting them to be the best in their class.
Two years ago, the Sixers selected Jared McCain outside of the lottery, and he made it very clear that competing for Rookie of the Year was a personal goal of his. Before a season-ending injury, McCain was widely viewed as the favorite early on.
VJ Edgecombe had an uphill battle last season, as players like Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel were higher in the pecking order for their squads, but the former Baylor star still convinced himself he had a shot.
Now, Philon has to enter the 2026-2027 NBA season with the same kind of motivation, especially if he's planning to be an immediate rotation player on a championship-hopeful 76ers team.
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