For months, mock drafts have connected the Golden State Warriors to Labaron Philon Jr., the dynamic Alabama guard who can score, pass, and create his own shot. The fit made sense on paper: a young combo guard to learn behind Stephen Curry and eventually take over.
But according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Warriors have other plans.
Golden State intends to use their mid-level exception on either Anfernee Simons or Collin Sexton — two veteran combo guards who can contribute immediately. That changes everything.
If the Warriors sign Simons or Sexton, drafting Philon becomes redundant. He’d be stuck behind Curry, Simons (or Sexton), and Brandin Podziemski on the depth chart. He wouldn’t get enough minutes to develop.
Anfernee Simons
That’s why, despite Philon’s talent, the Warriors are expected to pass on him at No. 11.
Let me break down why Simons and Sexton make Philon expendable, what position the Warriors will target instead, and why a wing is the smartest pick for Golden State.
The Simons/Sexton Plan: Veterans Over Rookies
Let me start with the new information.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that the Warriors will target Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton with their mid-level exception. Both are unrestricted free agents. Both are 26 years old. Both are proven scorers.
Simons averaged over 20 points per game in Portland before his role diminished in Boston and Chicago. He’s a career 38% three-point shooter. He can play on or off the ball.
Sexton averaged 18.4 points on elite efficiency (.480/.406/.865) before being reduced to a bench role. He’s a microwave scorer who can get hot and take over a game.
Either one would be a significant addition to Golden State’s backcourt.
The Philon Profile: A Lottery Talent Who Needs Minutes
Let me talk about the player the Warriors would be passing on.
Labaron Philon Jr. is a 6-foot-2.5 combo guard from Alabama. As a sophomore, he averaged:
22.0 points per game
5.0 assists
Impressive shooting numbers
He’s a lead guard — a player who can run an offense, create his own shot, and make plays for others. He projects as a lottery pick.
But here’s the problem: the Warriors already have Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and either Simons or Sexton. That’s three guards ahead of Philon on the depth chart.
Brandin Podziemski
Philon wouldn’t get enough minutes to develop. He’d be buried on the bench, playing garbage time and spot minutes.
That’s not good for him or the Warriors.
The Defensive Nightmare: Too Many Small Guards
Let me address the elephant in the room.
Stephen Curry is 6-foot-2. Anfernee Simons is 6-foot-3. Collin Sexton is 6-foot-3. Labaron Philon is 6-foot-2.5. Brandin Podziemski is 6-foot-5.
That’s a lot of small guards.
If the Warriors gave rotation minutes to Curry, Philon, and Simons/Sexton, they would have major defensive issues. None of those players (except maybe Sexton) is a plus defender. They would get hunted in the playoffs.
The Warriors need size on the perimeter. They need wings who can guard multiple positions.
That’s why a wing makes more sense at No. 11.
The Wing Targets: Burries, Carr, and Lendeborg
Let me talk about the players the Warriors are actually considering.
I previously identified three wings who fit Golden State’s needs:
Brayden Burries (6-foot-3.75): He’s only 1.25 inches taller than Philon, but he’s stronger, more athletic, and better defensively. In today’s NBA, he’s a wing. He can guard small forwards. That’s a skill the Warriors desperately need.
Cameron Carr (6-foot-4.5): A smooth shooter with length. He can play shooting guard or small forward. He’s a movement shooter who can splash threes off screens. He’s been compared to Trey Murphy III.
Yaxel Lendeborg (6-foot-8.75): The biggest of the three. He can play the 3 or the 4. He’d fit seamlessly into a rotation with Gui Santos and Draymond Green. He has the fewest immediate fit questions.
All three would address the Warriors’ need for size and defense on the perimeter.
The Kerr and Dunleavy Clues: Injuries to Butler and Moody
Let me bring in the evidence.
In their exit interviews, both Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Steve Kerr mentioned the injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody when asked about the 2026 draft.
Butler is recovering from a torn ACL. Moody is recovering from a season-ending injury. Both are wings. Both will miss significant time next season.
That means the Warriors need wings who can contribute immediately. They need players who can fill in for Butler and Moody while they recover.
Philon is not that player. He’s a guard. He wouldn’t replace Butler or Moody.
Burries, Carr, or Lendeborg could.
The Free Agency Market: Guards Are Easier to Find
Let me talk about the bigger picture.
The Warriors have two ways to add talent: the draft and free agency.
In free agency, it’s easier to find a guard than a wing. Simons and Sexton are available. Other guards are available. The market is deeper.
Wings are harder to find. Quality wings who can shoot and defend are expensive and rare.
That’s why the Warriors should use their draft pick on a wing and their mid-level exception on a guard.
It’s the most efficient use of their resources.
The Fit Argument: Should Fit Matter?
Let me address a potential counterargument.
Some might say the Warriors shouldn’t consider fit with the No. 11 pick. They should take the best player available, regardless of position.
That’s a valid argument — if there’s a clear talent gap.
But if Philon is in the same tier as Burries, Carr, and Lendeborg — and most scouts say he is — then fit should be part of the equation.
The Warriors have a greater need at wing than at guard. They have long-term needs at every position, but the immediate need is on the perimeter.
That’s why they should take a wing.
Final Verdict: Pass on Philon, Take a Wing
Here’s my honest take.
The Golden State Warriors should not draft Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 11. Not because he’s not talented — he is. Not because he won’t be a good player — he probably will.
Because he doesn’t fit.
The Warriors are planning to sign Anfernee Simons or Collin Sexton. They already have Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski. Adding Philon would create a logjam at guard and a defensive nightmare on the perimeter.
Instead, the Warriors should take a wing. Brayden Burries. Cameron Carr. Yaxel Lendeborg. Any of them would fill a need, provide size, and help the team immediately.
The Warriors have a history of making smart draft picks. This year, the smart pick is a wing.
One thing’s certain: The Warriors’ draft board is changing. And Labaron Philon Jr. is no longer at the top.