NBA Rumors: Post-2016 Lottery Draft Buzz on Ben Simmons, Celtics and More
The 2016 NBA draft lottery happened Tuesday night, and no teams moved up or down from their expected slot.
While that means most teams can continue with their scouting as usual, there will still be plenty of storylines that surface heading into next month's draft. Plenty of information will reveal itself in the coming weeks regarding teams that have certain preferences for specific players or positions.
Let's check in on Ben Simmons' situation, the Boston Celtics' draft plans and one lottery team's pursuit of a new head coach.
Ben Simmons Hoping to Join the Lakers?
Simmons had an interesting change of mind Monday. After originally deciding to select his shoe deal before the draft lottery, he chose to wait until after the event, per The Vertical's Nick DePaula.
Regarding the decision, DePaula said the "thinking from Simmons' camp is straightforward and simple: It’s the Los Angeles Lakers or bust."
While Simmons' locale could affect the shoe deals Nike or Adidas might offer him, and being in Los Angeles wouldn't hurt those deals, there's a bigger issue here: Does he have a strong preference for where he wants to begin his career between Philadelphia and Los Angeles? The 76ers and Lakers got the first and second picks Tuesday night, respectively, and one of them will likely have Simmons by the end of draft night.
Silver Screen and Roll's Harrison Faigen noted several occasions throughout the past season where Simmons showed an affinity for the Lakers. Is this a sign of things to come for his career?
Strictly for on-court purposes, Simmons seems like the best fit for Philadelphia at No. 1. The Sixers badly need playmaking, and the 19-year-old Australian can be a de facto point guard with his passing and ball-handling skills. Brandon Ingram, the other player considered worthy of the top pick, is more of a shooter and basket-maker than a guy who makes his teammates better.
It seems like Philly would be foolish to take a player who doesn't want to play for the team, though. Keep an eye on this storyline during the next month as the draft approaches.
Celtics Looking For Backcourt Help at No. 3?
ESPN's Chad Ford released a guide to the lottery Sunday heading into Tuesday's event. Here's what he had to say about the Boston Celtics' draft prospects:
"If they fall outside the top two, look for them to address the backcourt. The Celtics love Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas in their current backcourt, but [Jamal] Murray's shooting and versatility would be too much to pass up -- though sources say they're tempted by Buddy Hield, an even better shooter and more ready to step in and play right now.
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The Celtics did end up falling outside of the top two, landing the No. 3 pick that originally belonged to the Brooklyn Nets, which means they very well could be looking at a guard. It's no coincidence Hield was specifically mentioned as a potential target, as he's more suited to the shooting guard position; Thomas, an All-Star in 2016, should be locked in as the big-minute guy at point guard for the foreseeable future.
However, should Boston be focusing on the backcourt? Smart, Bradley and Thomas are all young and talented, and adding a guy like Hield would likely mean fewer minutes for all three players next season. The only things that seem reasonable are that the Celtics are looking to trade one of the trio, or that they will play Smart at the small forward position more next season because of his strength and defensive versatility.
Meanwhile, the frontcourt rotation includes Jonas Jerebko, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk and Amir Johnson, who are all solid players, but not current or future stars. It seems like that group could use an infusion of talent and potential more than the backcourt.
Of course, if Boston is planning to sign a marquee big man in the offseason, maybe that's why they're trying to go a different direction.
The Celtics have a lot of assets and should attempt to use them this summer to thrust themselves into title contention. They're going to be a major player throughout the offseason regardless of their draft strategy.
Magic Considering Frank Vogel?
The Indiana Pacers' recent decision not to renew the contract of former head coach Frank Vogel was one of the more controversial coaching decisions in recent memory. You could easily make a case that Vogel either met or exceeded expectations in each of his five seasons with the team, which is a rare accomplishment.
Meanwhile, in Orlando, former Magic head coach Scott Skiles resigned last Thursday. The young team did go 35-47 in 2015-16, a 10-win improvement from the previous season, but that record was attained after a 19-13 start. You don't expect to see a second-half regression that significant with a young team under a new head coach.
Per the Magic's official website, Skiles believed he was "not the right head coach for this team." He may be right since the tough-love, authoritarian coaching style is not one that usually meshes well with a young, rebuilding squad.
It appears that Orlando is now pursuing Vogel, per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski:
Vogel is a great fit for most teams, but his defensive focus coupled with a slightly more laid-back approach could be a better version of what the Magic thought they would get with Skiles.
Vogel should continue to be highly sought-after this offseason, so there is no guarantee Orlando's pitch will actually lure him in.
