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NBA: 5 Teams That Desperately Need The No. 1 Pick

By Colby Giacubeno

Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) smiles as he looks on against the Florida Gators during the first half at Stephen C. O
Jan 9, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) smiles as he looks on against the Florida Gators during the first half at Stephen C. O /
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No. 2 Los Angeles Lakers

Imagine the year that one of the all-time greats in Kobe Bryant announces his retirement, the Lakers land the No. 1 selection and what is suspected as the next big superstar in Ben Simmons. Sounds like a movie right?

Well, they will have one of the best chances in doing so considering that they are currently the second-worst team in the league with a 9-33 record. In the beginning of Bryant’s farewell tour, it looked as if this would be a waste of a season for the young core of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and D’Angelo Russell due to Bryant’s embarrassing shooting performances and no signs pointing to helping the development of the young guys.

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    • Bryant is now shooting better shots at a better rate, while also choosing to sit out at the end of games to help teach the young players what to do in certain situations when a timeout is called.

    It’s final that when this season concludes, Bryant will no longer be a Laker. That is a tough pill to swallow for the large mass of Lakers fans around the world, but what better cure then landing Simmons?

    Simmons could play the small forward or power forward position depending on if the Lakers have the roster to execute small-ball effectively. No matter where he is on the floor, creating open shots for Russell and Clarkson off of penetration while also working with Randle in the pick-and-roll seems to be a recipe for success at a glance.

    If the Lakers want to become the league’s most feared team once again, the first step in doing so is bringing the 6’10” Australian to Hollywood.

    Next: No. 1