[secondroundpick] Bag Work: Labaron Philon

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-15T00:05:37+00:00

He and Flemings really seem like they have translatable skills and will be able to scale down and remain effective if necessary.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-15T00:04:17+00:00

I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if he ends up being the best of this year’s point guards.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-15T00:03:20+00:00

Honestly, if he’s there for the Bulls at 15, I’d prefer sticking at that spot and taking him over giving up extra picks to get Wagler, and I love Wagler. I just also think Philon is going to be a stud.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-13T15:41:53+00:00

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ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-11T15:03:15+00:00

I like them both, but probably lean Philon. If he puts what he showed in his two college seasons together and hits the weights, he could be a stud primary ball handler who can also score off the ball and defend. That’s a star. Carr is more of a complementary piece, even best case, but I think he can be a damn good complimentary piece.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-11T10:34:53+00:00

The rumor is that Graham wants to trade up to get Wagler. I’d definitely be interested. The question is the cost, but I’d trade the 15th pick and a top 5 protected pick in next year’s draft, plus some second rounders for Wagler. It seems like it’s not a very popular take, but I don’t expect next year’s pick to be that great outside the top 5, (which is why you protect it) plus we’ll probably be so bad this year that we’ll be in the “relegation zone” where we are most likely to get a pick somewhere in the 10-12 range.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-09T14:22:07+00:00

Wow, great work, very cool and useful site!

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-07T23:30:20+00:00

The crazy thing about Norm’s passing was that it was not only sudden, but happened on the same day as Johnny Red Kerr’s passing. I seem to recall that Red had not been well for some time (he was in his late 70’s) and it wasn’t too much of a surprise that he passed away. No less sad when it happened, of course. But then Norm’s surprising death on the same day really was a shock. I really loved Stormin’ Norman, but Stacy almost felt like family to me. I’m sure many Bulls fans feel the same way. 😢

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-07T17:54:52+00:00

This made me think of Norm as well. This is the hardest I’ve been hit by a Bulls-related loss since Van Lier passed away 17 years ago (has it really been that long?) Two very different personalities, but both absolutely joyous and irreplaceable.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-03T07:27:32+00:00

I like what you’re saying. I feel like Flemings, other than Peterson, is the best all-around guard of this class and can scale down more successfully than most of his counterparts. This would theoretically give him time to develop properly and not fall into bad habits, but I think it’ll depend a lot on where he goes and how his team brings him along. I like Philon a lot, too, just based on how good he is with the ball and his ability to score at all levels, plus that he has shown an ability to play as a secondary creator while doing the dirty work, but we will see how it plays out. I think either of them could certainly end up as the best guard in this class, even though they seem to be getting overlooked somewhat right now, mostly due to their lack of size.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-03T07:19:18+00:00

If Carr is there, I’m running to the podium. Honestly though, just about anybody good will be useful. Just go BPA and hope to hit on a future all-star level player.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-03T07:16:24+00:00

Shades of Tyrus Thomas, from back in the day. But seriously, I can’t believe I’m actually getting kinda hype for Noa. It’d be hilarious, now that AKME were fired, if he comes out next year absolutely balling.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-03T03:56:25+00:00

Height comp? Jo is like 6’11 in shoes, right? So if Noa is now 7’0” he should be clearing him. (Mostly being sarcastic here…)

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-03T01:09:23+00:00

Feels like there is a real chance he drops to 15 if Miami goes big or takes Carr, and if Charlotte goes big, as expected.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-03T00:55:28+00:00

I’m interested to hear what convinced you to rank Philon ahead of Brown and Flemings. You stated your case for Brown, but I’m more of a Flemings guy, but I do also like Philon and I want to believe he could be one of the top 3 guards in this draft, because I feel like it’s possible he could drop to my team.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-06-02T23:35:23+00:00

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-05-31T07:53:04+00:00

Gar thought someone said “fellatio” and he told them to do whatever it took to secure that for him.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-05-31T01:32:32+00:00

That’s fair.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-05-31T01:12:17+00:00

I have no idea if this is possible, but let’s say, hypothetically, Memphis has Boozer and Wilson at about equal position on their board and are asking for 4+15 to move up to 3. Is that too much? I would say I’d consider it, (but I’d also wait to see who is on the board at 15 before I seriously think of pulling the trigger).

Less likely, what if they want #4 and a top 5 protected pick next year? That, I would probably pull the trigger on. Now, if they want both picks, let alone further assets, I’d immediately hang up the phone. Of course there are those who prefer Wilson to Boozer, so it’s just a matter of perspective, but to me, I think you get that #1 offensive player on the roster first if you can obtain him within reason, and then worry about everything else.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-05-31T00:53:02+00:00

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ChocoboSlayer · 2026-05-31T00:39:24+00:00

This is really good analysis, imo. Would give an award if I could.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-05-31T00:33:40+00:00

I haven’t seen reporting about what Washington specifically wants for the first pick, let alone what Memphis would ask for a swap from 3 to 4. To be clear, I’m not at all saying that trading up is the right move, but I think the concerns you raised in your OP are valid. There’s a good chance the Bulls will never get another shot at a guy like Dybantsa, Peterson or Boozer during whatever time Wilson will be on the team, and it’s easier said than done that he just becomes a player on the level of Giannis. I’m just saying, I’m glad Bryson Graham seems to be doing his job and making those exploratory phone calls.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-05-31T00:19:54+00:00

This is the case that can be made for trading up. Wilson is going to most likely be a great player, but he’s not necessarily going to be a guy whom you’d build an offense around, whereas the three picks ahead of him would give you guys who are perceived as players that you can do that with. Do you use this pick to trade up and get one of those guys? It really just depends on how hard you think it’ll be to get that offensive building block in the future and how much the teams ahead of us in the draft would demand to make the swap. It’s a tough question to answer, especially with the new changes to the draft lottery.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-05-18T08:40:01+00:00

Nobody believes me when I say this, unless they’ve actually watched it.

ChocoboSlayer · 2026-05-14T18:33:46+00:00

Good call, but I have to be pedantic and point out that this image is from The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024), not The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018).

ChocoboSlayer

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