What If Ben Simmons Falls to the L.A. Lakers at No. 2?

With the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers will likely select whichever franchise-altering prospect the Philadelphia 76ers don’t: Louisiana State University’s Ben Simmons or Duke’s Brandon Ingram. 

Either way, they’ll acquire a building block, someone potentially talented enough to lead the organization to sustained championship contention for the next decade. 

Based on their projected strengths and weaknesses going from college to the pros, both prospects are compatible with Los Angeles’ current roster, as well as the new offensive system and defensive principles incoming head coach Luke Walton should look to instill.   

If it’s Ingram, great. He can plug right in at small forward and naturally play alongside Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson in a traditional starting lineup on opening night. His outside shot and physical length make him a natural solution for some of L.A.’s ongoing problems. 

If the Sixers instead choose to add three-point shooting and wing versatility to their own crowded frontcourt and Simmons falls to Los Angeles, the Lakers will get a generational sensation who, on paper, overlaps Randle’s skill set at the very same position. Ostensibly, the Lakers would eventually have to move the latter for a more complementary piece; someone who can defend the rim and/or better space the floor.  

Randle shot 22.9 percent on mid-range jumpers last season and 27.8 percent behind the three-point line. Simmons went 1-of-3 beyond the arc in college, which ingrained doubt about how he’ll do in a league that values outside shooting more and more every day. 

But talk to those who know Simmons best, the coaches and administrators who spent a year watching him in the gym before, during and after practice, and they’ll tell you he can slide right into just about any situation and thrive right away. 

“He’s a better shooter than people know,” LSU’s Director of Basketball Operations Charles Leonard said. “People perceive it as being a big flaw in his game, but it’s not. It’s just not something that he’s had to focus on. I just think that being on the professional level, where it’s your job everyday, guys that are perceived to have holes in their game usually fill them very quickly.”

For all the (potentially unfounded) criticism surrounding that jumper, Simmons’ strengths are exceptionally rare. He’s a 6’10” phenom who handles the ball and passes like a point guard, can barrel his way toward the rim anytime he wants and create mismatches all over the floor, both in the half court and transition.

He averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a freshman. He shot 56 …

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