Thursday, October 1, 2026
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The Sixers are just a day away from the 2026 NBA Draft. After holding meetings and workouts with various prospects, Philadelphia will soon have a decision to make as they currently hold the No. 22 pick.
Ahead of that selection, the Sixers coverage staff here at Philly Sports Network has put together our predictions for whose name will be called when the team is on the clock.
Note: While Philadelphia has explored trade options with the pick, these predictions will assume the Sixers make the pick at No. 22.
Labaron Philon Jr. came into his own as a sophomore at Alabama as he developed into one of the better all-around offensive talents in the country. Averaging 22.0 points on 39.9 percent shooting from three, Philon showcased his ability as a scoring guard, but also a facilitator, averaging 5.0 assists per game. With a tight and crafty handle, Philon consistently finds space to get his shot off among bigger defenders with his balance and shiftiness.
Shooting off-the-catch, he was nearly automatic last season, which would give him added versatility playing alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Philon's passing ability also makes him well-suited to play in a three-guard lineup alongside Maxey and Edgecombe, as he provides a level of playmaking that does not come naturally to the others. Philon's ability to run the offense and create for himself would help ease Maxey's playmaking burden and keep the Sixers' offense from becoming too predictable.
The biggest hole in his offensive game, his lack of vertical and explosive athleticism, is unfortunately one that does not simply develop over time. Philon has clearly worked very hard to structure his offensive skillset around that, but for someone of his frail size to not really have any above-the-rim ability is going to be hard to overcome at the NBA level, which also explains why a player of his talent could be available around the Sixers’ range. He made up for that with his ambidextrous floater package and finding open space to rise up after weaseling his way into the lane, but he is going to need to hit the weight room if he hopes to find that type of success in the NBA.
Arkansas’ Meleek Thomas has made a name for himself as a freshman, averaging 15.6 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Razorbacks. He was the second leading scorer on his team, proving to be a dangerous, three-level scorer, especially from beyond the arc. Thomas was efficient in his lone collegiate season, shooting 41.6% from beyond the arc on 5.3 attempts per night. Thomas also impressed on the defensive end, averaging 1.5 steals per night, using his near 6-foot-7 wingspan to disrupt passing lanes and make things hard for his opponent.
On the Sixers, he could be a true bench scorer with plenty of defensive upside for the Sixers to bank on. While his role likely projects as a rotation piece, his highly skilled shooting and ball handling could allow the Sixers to play him early off the bench quickly into his rookie season. Beyond just his first season, Thomas should continue to develop his play with the Sixers by honing his scoring and working on his decision-making.
While there are aspects of his game that Thomas will need to clean up, the 19-year-old Pittsburgh native would be an exciting selection for the Sixers at this pick. Thomas's game is extremely similar to that of other great sixth-man players in the modern NBA and could eventually become a legitimate spark plug who commands defensive attention whenever he checks into a game. This is something the Sixers have lacked the past few seasons, finishing in the bottom ten of bench points per game each of the last five seasons.
MORE: Sixers 2026 draft targets: Christian Anderson Jr. could give Philly shooting and playmaking
Chris Cenac Jr. is a high-upside big man whose long-term potential could make him one of the most intriguing selections in the class. Standing 6-foot-10 with impressive mobility, length, and shot-blocking instincts, Cenac possesses many of the physical tools NBA teams look for in modern centers. His ability to protect the rim, be a versatile defender, and finish around the basket provides a solid foundation for him to contribute at the next level.
For the Sixers, Cenac represents both a fit and an investment in the future. While Joel Embiid remains the franchise cornerstone, Philadelphia has lacked young frontcourt talent with legitimate developmental upside. Cenac could spend his early years learning from Embiid, while refining his offensive game, building strength, and adjusting to the NBA's speed and physicality. Cenac could also play alongside Embiid and provide the Sixers with the length and rebounding they desperately need.
This selection may not provide immediate results. Cenac remains a raw prospect who will require patience and development before reaching his full potential. However, with the Sixers looking to balance competing in the present while building for the future, taking a swing on a player with Cenac's ceiling makes sense. In the long run, if his development progresses as hoped, Philadelphia could eventually have a versatile two-way center capable of anchoring its frontcourt for years to come.
Read more Sixers coverage from Justin Crosby
As the Sixers look to build around Maxey and Edgecombe moving forward, the team’s needs are effectively everything outside of a starting backcourt. Texas’ Dailyn Swain, soon to be 21, is an imperfect prospect, but fits what the Sixers want and need as a versatile two-way wing with size, athleticism and a skill set that projects well to the NBA level. Major questions are rightfully raised about the long-term outlook of his jump shot, but in each of his three seasons in college, Swain improved as a shooter, and his consistent success at the free-throw line gives hope that his shot will continue to develop. What will sell teams on Swain is his slashing ability, playmaking and defensive versatility.
Swain’s finishing touch and functional athleticism allow him to work his way downhill with ease, whether in the half-court or in transition. As the Sixers continue to push the pace, Swain will complement the team’s offensive style as either a primary or secondary player on a fast break. His experience working on-ball both in isolation and in the pick-and-roll would give Philadelphia a ball-handling option with size, allowing Maxey and Edgecombe more off-ball opportunities.
While Swain doesn’t have the typical Nick Nurse height-to-wingspan ratio, his defensive playmaking is a near-perfect fit. He’s not an overwhelming point-of-attack defender, but reads the floor well on both ends and possesses quick hands capable of mucking up passing lanes. Currently able to confidently defend positions 1-3, as Swain continues to grow into his body, he’ll likely be able to hang with more modern power forwards defensively in the future. Swain’s rebounding ability shouldn’t be overlooked either as one of the most impressive wing rebounders in this draft.
Read more Sixers coverage from Zach Ciavolella
Swain fits the Sixers’ desired mold as far as personality. During his introductory press conference, Mike Gansey didn’t give much insight into the team’s preferred draft approach, but made it clear that he desires certain traits in all players that will play for the Sixers moving forward.
“I want competitiveness, I want toughness,” Gansey said. "I want guys that hate to lose, those are the kind of people I'm going to try and target and want to bring onto this roster.”
That description is not exclusive to Swain, but he certainly fits the description.
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