Lakers Fit
Let’s just get this out of the way by saying that any team with the No. 1-overall pick is going to take Ben Simmons and there’s not much debate about it, regardless of fit. However, it’s worth noting in relation to the Lakers that Simmons doesn’t exactly fit easily into the team’s roster as it’s currently constructed.
With both Simmons’ and Julius Randle’s inability to knock down jump shots with any kind of consistency and both players unable to drop down to the five and hold down the center position in a lineup, it’s not much of a stretch to say that Randle and Simmons can’t wholly co-exist on the Lakers if Los Angeles were to be able to nab Simmons with the No. 1-overall pick.
If the Lakers do get the top-pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, though, taking anyone but Simmons would be a mistake and not be getting value for the pick. Subsequently, the better option would be to take Simmons and put Randle on the trade block and see what value he could return in regards to usable assets and future picks. What that return would be remains to be seen, but you have to assume it would be substantial.
Though it might seem trivial to a degree, it’s not unimportant that Simmons and Russell already have a relationship after playing together in high school. Considering they would be the core growing together in LA, their already somewhat built rapport could go a long way in their development in the NBA together.
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No matter how talented Randle is, the Lakers would be in a better position moving forward with Simmons, D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson (potentially), and whatever assets they could get for Randle. Now the only thing left to do is to somehow assure the Lakers get the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft so that they can get Simmons.