Ben Simmons (Photo : Mike Stobe | Getty Images Sport)
The NBA 2016 draft has been highly anticipated as teams found a solid reason to tank their season: Ben Simmons.
Simmons of LSU is the consensus no.1 pick in next year's draft. Prior to the season, it was predicted as a possible two-way race between him and Kentucky's Skal Labissiere, but the Australian phenom's display of versatile talent settled the debate as he emerged atop ESPN draft guru Chad Ford's Big Board again.
Ford placed Simmons consistently at no.1 while Labissiere dropped to no.4 in favor of Duke's Brandon Ingram. It goes to show that Simmons is indeed the prize of the class.
But is there a team that would not need Simmons? Based on the scouting report from Liberty Ballers, a team site for the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons would not really be helpful with the way the team is built.
"Ben Simmons is an NBA power forward or center at the NBA level," user HellsBells70 notes. "His value on the offensive and defensive end relies on him being close to the rim and having the ball in his hands," LB concluded.
They add that a player like Simmons "will need to be built around." Thus, he may not be the best pick for them as currently constructed.
He continues: "If anyone thinks we can play him at the 3, Noel at the 4, and Okafor at the 5 then they are delusional. He is the master of reading and reacting with the ball in his hands. Ben Simmons couldn't be a worse fit for the Sixers. We have the wrong personnel and the wrong scheme."
In contrast, Simmons would be right at home with the LA Lakers and even the player himself mentioned it on Snapchat. However, that does not mean the Sixers would pass on Ben if they get the first overall pick. They would definitely keep him as trade bait, assuming they have not traded their other frontline pieces.
In short, great fit or not, Ben Simmons will most likely be the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
