It's almost ten months until the 2016 NBA Draft but there are already debates on who would go no. 1. Two standouts battle it out and of course, one of them is from Kentucky.
Ben Simmons has been the dominant high school player in the past two year and in ESPN's first ever mock draft for 2016, he was chosen no.1.
Citing an unnamed NBA executive: "He has ability, size, is able to play multiple positions and has consistently done it at a high level. He enters the season as the frontrunner for the No. 1 pick, but it could get interesting."
Simmons game is mature and versatile which is ideal for today's NBA game which is currently evolving into a "positionless" type of lineup. The Australian understands this day and he could quick enough and tall enough to switch defensive assignments and take full advantage on the other side.
The argument for Skal Labissiere is the same as the argument against him: his upside. Most of the NBA exectives on this poll recognize his potential but would not gamble on passing a proven talent in Simmons.
"I love his potential, but I'm still not ready to anoint him as the top guy. I need to see more," an anonymous NBA executive opines. "I know what I'm getting from Simmons, whereas I'm still a little unsure of what to expect from Skal. Sure, he's long and can shoot it -- but is that worth the No. 1 pick? I'm not sure."
The length and shooting along with the Kentucky pedigree may remind you of Anthony Davis, but Davis was more of a proven product at this stage than Labissiere is. But that opinion may change after one college season.
Coach John Calipari already had his take on this question. He cited the 2015 NBA draft where Jahlil Okafor of Duke was also the consensus no.1 for the same reasons Simmons is no.1 now. But eventually, scoouts saw the skills of Karl Anthony Towns and realized that he could be the better player in the future.
Will it also play out the same way in the 2016 NBA Draft?