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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Best Options In 2016 NBA Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) before the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) before the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) brings the ball up court against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) brings the ball up court against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Ben Simmons, LSU Tigers

Position: Forward
Age: 19 (7/20/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.25″, 240 pounds, 7’0.5″
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

If the Philadelphia 76ers were to pass on Ben Simmons, the Los Angeles Lakers should have a trained carrier pigeon ready with a note that reads, “Ben Simmons—right now, stop wasting everyone’s time.”

The carrier pigeon should drop it directly onto the podium before Adam Silver can even shake the previous prospect’s hand.

Simmons is the No. 1 player in the 2016 NBA Draft, and the Los Angeles Lakers are the perfect organization to take on whatever challenges may be presented. There are questions about his maturity, but you can say some variation of that about a vast majority of 19-year-olds.

Simmons is an elite prospect in every sense of the word, and letting him pass by would be a crippling mistake.

Simmons is a 6’10” hybrid forward who projects to be one of the best ball-handlers and facilitators in this draft class. He’s also a dominant rebounder who ran the three-quarter sprint faster than Russell Westbrook.

For a more applicable perspective, Simmons measured as faster—and laterally quicker—than explosive Lakers shooting guard Jordan Clarkson.

Simmons has his fair share of flaws, but every prospect does; no prospect in this draft class has his upside.

must read: Upside comparisons for the Top 30 prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft

If the 76ers foolishly pass him up, then the Lakers need to be rational and select Simmons at No. 2 overall.

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