Ben Simmons (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Brandon Ingram (Photo : Getty Images/Sean M. Haffey)
The Philadelphia 76ers has a big decision to make that could impact the team for years to come.
There are so many forces at play and some of them may influence the final outcome on the 2016 NBA Draft. Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram is the dilemma the entire league wanted to have, but the Sixers brass are under too much pressure not to blow this decision. On the other hand, the Lakers are simply waiting on the Sixers. Despite hosting workout prospects, the no.2 pick is who among the two the Sixers leave behind.
In the past weeks, there were reports that the Sixers will pick LSU standout Ben Simmons. However, that assumption seems shaky at this point.
Simmons' preference to play for the Lakers instead of the Sixers is the worst-kept secret in the league and if the Lakers went no.1, there would probably be less discussion. While both the Sixers and Simmons himself say there's no problem, there seems to be some dissent as the Australian prospect refused to work out for the Sixers according to ESPN.
"Ben Simmons, who many believe will be the top pick in this month's NBA draft, has so far declined the Philadelphia 76ers' invitation to work out for the team, a decision Sixers president Bryan Colangelo insists will not prevent the team from selecting Simmons should they decide to draft him with the No. 1 overall pick," the report stated.
On the other hand, Brandon Ingram got on the team's good side quite well in his workout, as reported by The Sixer Sense. He was seen dining out with head coach Brett Brown and even Joel Embiid.
The decision to work out or not has been downplayed. It was meant to improve your draft stock by showing something impressive to the team. For projected no.1 picks like Ben Simmons, there seems to be no logical purpose as there's nothing to improve (your stock is already the highest).
There are some quarters who make a big deal out of it, and there are suspicions that the agent might be in play, but it is simply a prudent decision on Simmons' part. It does not show any disdain for the Sixers (since he refused to work out with everyone anyway).
Still, the fact remains-Brandon Ingram was cooperative and willing to work and discuss with them (at least in terms of the work out) and Simmons wasn't.
