This year's NBA Draft shows the Dallas Mavericks have only one chance to find Cooper Flagg's perfect running mate for the future. They have plenty of names on the board, but one report says the Mavericks have been interested in a sophomore guard who's been ranked in the middle of the first round.
ESPN's Jeremy Woo says the Mavericks are interested in Labaron Philon Jr., signaling that the Mavs could make a draft-night move that some fans may or may not like. Philon is not likely to go into the top 10, and with the Mavs at No. 9, does that mean they will want to trade down their pick? Here's Woo's analysis, which suggests the Mavericks will have to make that move.
"Philon is drawing interest from teams in the lottery, including Dallas and Milwaukee at the high end, but there are also scenarios where he falls into the teens because of the sheer number of guards on the board."
Mavericks may have to trade down if they're interested in Labaron Philon Jr.
This isn't necessarily a bad pick, but in most mock drafts, Philon has been on the board in the middle of the first round. Not the end of the world if the Mavericks get him, considering Philon Jr. is a confident offensive talent who can make strides in the NBA with the right fit.
The 6-foot-4 Alabama guard averaged 22 points, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals. He shot the ball efficiently too, shooting 50 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from deep.
It would also be aiming high for Philon Jr. at No. 9 when they have someone of higher value like Kingston Flemings. The Houston guard is a creative playmaker and controls his dribble better than Philon Jr., that's at least according to Woo.
"(Philon Jr.'s) athletic testing and measurements fell in line with his 2025 combine data, with decent size but below-average testing numbers for a ball handler."
Woo adds that Philon Jr. can be a bench player, but can the Mavs afford to wait on a potential project as a sixth man when they already have energy guys for that? Naji Marshall is one of the more underrated bench players in the NBA, and he already plays the perfect role to come in and dominate with his floaters in the paint.
It'd be a high pick for someone like Philon Jr. at No. 9, but it's not his fault. He's in a class with an insane amount of freshman talent. In nearly another year, Philon Jr. could easily be a top 10 pick.
On the other hand, Philon Jr. has called the Mavericks a "great program" and can give the team "a level of playmaking" (h/t Noah Weber).
The Mavericks can also do the opposite and trade up to get a dream pick in Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, who's an immediate threat as a long-range shooter and playmaker. As it stands right now, the Mavericks will be at No. 9, but Philon Jr.'s value hasn't cracked the top 10, and the question remains whether the Mavs will trade down for draft pieces and Philon Jr.
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