Ben Simmons, an incoming freshman at Louisiana State University is projected as the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
In his first and self-declared "Way Too Early" Mock Draft for 2016, ESPN Draft Guru Chad Ford placed Australian Ben Simmons at the top.
As Ford said, it seems absurd for him (or anyone) to presume so many things: the actual placing of the teams (which were based on ESPN Summer Forecast) and which players would declare for the Draft.
So it was rather surprising when the top prospect actually called where he would play next year. Ben Simmons had a Snapchat post that said "You can catch me on the Lakers next year" as recounted in The Big Lead.
While it could easily be dismissed as one players' wish, the rumor mill has already coughed up some possible implications.
The Lakers 2016 first round pick is Top 3 protected. That means, if the Lakers do not end up with in the top 3, the pick goes to Philadelphia. It figures, since a team will need a top three pick to land Ben Simmons.
It might also mean that the Lakers may intentionally be tanking as they did last year and they ended up with the second overall pick, except it would be more difficult this time.
Simmons would be a great addition to D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle who form the young core that could comprise the future of the Lakers. This also implies that despite its string of lackluster seasons, the Tinseltown team has yet to lose their prestige.