It's almost a given that LSU standout and collegiate superstar Ben Simmons will be the 1st overall pick in the 2016 draft.
ESPN's Top Insiders shared their views on why he is expected to be the top pick. "Anyone that doesn't have Simmons No. 1 [on their draft board] should be fired," said a former GM.
ESPN's Chad Ford's mock draft stated "The majority of scouts and GMs I speak with continue to believe Simmons is the player in this class who has the best chance to be transcendent. His size, athleticism and feel for the game are unique. He's going to fill up the box score."
"Ben's really good at just allowing himself to play whatever the game dictates," LSU coach Johnny Jones said. "He doesn't force it. If he's got an opportunity to make plays, knock down shots, I think he takes advantage of it. He can get to the rim, play inside or out, and he's done a good job of making passes. His assist line could have been up even higher."
However, it is widely believed that Simmons could actually go down if a trade is involved. Depending on the lucky team that selects the 1st overall pick in next year's highly anticipated draft, they could opt to select Kentucky's Skal Labissiere and trade for a desired asset of the lower pick.
Fox Sports stated "Why not aim high with the high-risk, high-reward Labissiere? You may remember it was only a couple months ago when plenty of draftniks said Labissiere was a better NBA prospect than Simmons,"
"He has struggled mightily at Kentucky, partly because of a lack of strength, partly because he hadn't played much competitive basketball the past two years while dealing with injuries and partly because coach John Calipari is trying to toughen him up by playing him inside even though his strength is in his inside-out versatility," the website added.
Head coach of Labissiere John Calipari spoke about the potential and current struggles of this young prospect.
"He's got ways to go," Calipari said. "We've got to really do a better job of teaching him how to fight for position [in the paint], how to hold his position and how to make sure you're catching balls, catching it close. It's all new to him."
"The reason you want to step away from the basket is because it's easier. You're not going to have to [play] body to body. 'I don't have to fight. Let me just shoot this fadeaway jumper.' Yeah, [Towns] said the same thing."