Ben Simmons: Latest News, Rumors and Buzz on SF's 2016 NBA Draft Stock
LSU forward Ben Simmons is widely viewed as the favorite to be selected first overall in the 2016 NBA draft, and as such, he has reportedly gone through a predraft workout with the team slated to pick first.
Continue for updates.
Simmons Reportedly Informed He'll Be Top Pick
Tuesday, June 21
Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com, citing league sources, reported the Philadelphia 76ers told Simmons Tuesday morning the franchise would select him with the first overall pick in Thursday's draft.
76ers GM Bryan Colangelo Comments on Simmons
Tuesday, June 21
Simmons Meets with 76ers
Tuesday, June 21
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Simmons worked out for the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday morning. The 76ers later shared images of Simmons' workout:
Simmons later shared a photo of the workout on Instagram, with the caption: "Trust the process."
Pompey reported on June 14 that Simmons wouldn't be working out for the 76ers "unless something changes."
The 76ers had their first meeting with Simmons on June 16, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. They had dinner in Cleveland before Game 6 of the NBA Finals, and all the "key people" in the 76ers organization were on hand along with Simmons and his agent, Rich Paul, per Stein.
Simmons has added 20 pounds of muscle since the end of his college season with LSU, which "impressed" the 76ers, according to Stein. He added that Philadelphia looked at the meeting as the beginning of "building a relationship" with the player who is "strongly" believed to be the next No. 1 overall selection.
James Comments on Simmons' Game
Saturday, June 18
“Well, I think he's a great young talent,” LeBron James said when asked if he thought the 76ers would be crazy not to pick Simmons with the first overall selection in the draft, per Pompey.
“I think the way he displays on the basketball court, we all notice," James added. "I think we all don't know just yet how great of a kid he is and how down to earth he is with the game of basketball and life in general."
Simmons on Track to Get Drafted No. 1 Overall
Colangelo said on May 31 he knew who he'd take with the pick that day, and Derek Bodner of Philadelphia magazine reported it would be Simmons, according to sources.
Although he failed to guide LSU to the NCAA tournament in his only year of college ball, there's no denying Simmons had an exceptional individual season.
The Australian phenom averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals for the Tigers in 2015-16. He still has a ton of room to improve as a jump-shooter, but his combination of size (6'10", 239 lbs), court vision and rebounding ability is unique.
Most believe the Sixers are choosing between Simmons and Duke swingman Brandon Ingram, who's a superior perimeter shooter and has great length with defensive upside. Whatever Philadelphia does, Simmons' stock is secure within the top two, barring a shocking turn of events.
Despite the fact that Simmons doesn't fit well with the Sixers' current roster, it stands to reason Colangelo and Co. will adjust personnel accordingly to make way for a unique playmaker.
That means the Sixers could deal away one of the trio of lottery big men they have accumulated in Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor—or they could trade Dario Saric before his long-awaited NBA debut.
Whatever the case, they have assets to play with on the trade market, which should allow them to form a strong nucleus around a potential centerpiece in Simmons.
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