The Mavericks eye Alabama's dynamic guard Labaron Philon Jr. in a recent mock draft, potentially securing their future backcourt creator.
The Dallas Mavericks did not have their regular point guard this season, as Kyrie Irving was out for the season after his ACL tear last season. As a result, the 34-year-old veteran might not have as many prime years left as he wishes he would.
And one thing they could do in order to help with that is draft the guy who could be his successor.
In a recent mock draft by Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, he has them doing exactly that. With the 10th overall pick in his mock, he has the Mavericks drafting Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr.
Philon has earned attention for his ability to generate his own shot, combining tight ball-handling with a quick first step and the confidence to score at all three levels. Whether attacking downhill, pulling up in the midrange, or spacing the floor, he consistently puts pressure on defenses.
He put on an absolute clinic in his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide at 22 points per game, and he was able to do so on 50 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from three. Not only that, but he also got his teammates involved at five assists per game.
For Dallas, the connection is logical given the value placed on secondary shot creation. Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg shouldered a lot of the load in Dallas, and could use some help on that front.
Philon’s vastly improving perimeter shooting from his freshman season has added another layer to his offensive arsenal, making him a threat both on and off the ball. When he finds space, he can quickly turn possessions into points.
Defensively, he remains a work in progress. Improving strength, consistency, and focus on that end of the floor will be key as he transitions toward the NBA level. Still, his offensive upside and continued development keep him firmly in first-round consideration.
For the Dallas Mavericks, this mock projection simply offers an early glimpse of how the draft landscape could shape up. If Philon continues on his current trajectory, he could emerge as a realistic target for teams seeking dynamic backcourt scoring and creation.