Lake Show Life
Fansided

NBA Mock Draft 2016: Lottery Set, Who Do Lakers Get at No. 2?

By Cody Williams

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Cupchak represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Cupchak represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 31
Next
Jan 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) drives against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) drives against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

1. player. 93. . F. LSU. Ben Simmons

Height: 6-10
Weight: 240 pounds
Wingspan: 7-0.25
DOB: 7/20/96

With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft (and this NBA mock draft), the Philadelphia 76ers face a bit of a conundrum. Not only do they have to consider the fact that Brandon Ingram has caught up to Ben Simmons and dethroned him from being the consensus No. 1 pick in this draft, but most of their recent lottery picks are also in the frontcourt, a space Simmons occupies. Even still, they still have to take the LSU Tigers freshman in my book.

More from Lake Show Life

For however talented Ingram is, Simmons is still ahead of him in terms of talent, upside, and value to an organization that’s in the position that the Sixers are. In his lone season and while playing for a team that was lackluster (not entirely to the fault of Simmons, either), the Australian product put up 19.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, two steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor. 6-10 players with his length and athleticism that can produce in so many facets of the game aren’t common—in fact they’re exceptionally rare.

Despite how talented I think Ingram is, the Sixers are foolish if they keep the No. 1 pick and don’t take Simmons. He’s far and away the best prospect in this draft and is going to be a star in the NBA. As Philly tries to climb out of the quagmire at the bottom of the standings, Simmons is the first true step in doing so.

Next: No. 2 Lakers

Home/Lakers Draft