The Sixers are rumored to be leaning towards Ben Simmons in the 2016 NBA Draft, which would leave the Lakers with Brandon Ingram
Holdling the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft is a bit of a handcuffing position for the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s by no means a bad position as they are going to get one of the two players in what many people consider to be a “two-player” draft. However, the Lakers are handcuffed in that their pick is wholly determined by what the Philadelphia 76ers do with the No. 1 overall pick.
Sure, the Lakers are in a position where they could use either player to help move toward the future. But it’s also undeniable that, with the way the young core of the Lakers is currently constructed, that Brandon Ingram would be the more natural fit in Los Angeles while Simmons would take some maneuvering to make fit.
Given the most recent NBA Draft rumors, though, the Lakers may not have to do any maneuvering at all.
According to Chad Ford of ESPN, the Sixers are currently “60-40” going to take Simmons with the first-overall pick and also called the LSU product the “frontrunner” to be the top selection in the 2016 NBA Draft:
If Simmons were to go No. 1 overall, that would obviously leave Ingram for the Lakers and everyone could go home happy.
At this point, it truly depends on who you ask as to who the best player in the 2016 NBA Draft is. However, Ingram would undoubtedly be the player between himself and Simmons that could slot into the Lakers current roster the most seamlessly. LA has a glaring hole at small forward and a dire need for outside shooting and versatility. Those are all things that Ingram would bring to the table.
Next: Lakers: 5 Prospects To Consider at No. 32
With just less than a month left until the draft, things are still subject to change in regards to who Philly takes with the first pick and who the lakers are left with a No. 2. As of now, though, the word is that Ingram is going to end up in LA, which Lakers fans should be grinning ear-to-ear about.