2016 NBA Mock Draft: Drafting For Need

Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League attends a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.Bender's name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months. / AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) controls the ball in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Ben Simmons, LSU Tigers

Position: Forward
Age: 19 (7/0/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 240 pounds, 6’11”
Slash Line: .560/.333/.670
Season Averages: 34.9 MPG, 19.2 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.1 ORPG, 4.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Ben Simmons and Julius Randle could be stuck as players at the same position if the former pans out as a power forward instead of a 3. Thus, team needs suggest a different prospect should be taken at No. 2 overall.

When the gap is as large as it is between available prospects, however, transcendent talent becomes the ultimate team need.

Simmons is one of those transcendent talents as a 6’10” playmaker with the skill to run point and the body to play the 4. He’s not quite as athletic as Giannis Antetokounmpo, but much as the Milwaukee Bucks star has taken the league by storm, Simmons could do the same.

Many were turned off by Simmons’ nonchalant demeanor, but it’s a testament to his immediate value and upside that dominating the collegiate ranks came so easily to him.

In Los Angeles, Simmons, Randle, and D’Angelo Russell could be groomed as the star trio of the future. Simmons is a wonderful ball-handler with the court vision of a true floor general, all the while providing an elite presence on the boards, and NBA-caliber finishing ability around the rim.

If Luke Walton excels as head coach, Simmons could be the next superstar to don the purple and gold.

Next: Boston Celtics

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