NBA Rumors: LSU’s Ben Simmons Has ‘No Issue’ With Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers stand to make a drastic jump in the talent department this summer with the team recently winning the NBA Draft Lottery. The Sixers will have the number one overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft on June 23 with all signs pointing to the team selecting Australian phenom Ben Simmons out of LSU.

Although there’s been a lot of speculation and rumors of Simmons’ desire to land with the Los Angeles Lakers at second overall on draft day, the versatile forward may have other ideas. It appears that Simmons may have no problem heading to Philadelphia later this month, according to Tom Moore of The Intelligencer:

A source close to Simmons said Thursday that Simmons, while undoubtedly preferring to be a Laker, “has no issue with playing for the Sixers.”

Along with standing to make more from a shoe endorsement deal and reuniting with his high school teammate D’Angelo Russell in Los Angeles, Simmons may have come to terms with the reality that he’s not getting past the Sixers at number one overall. Although all indications point to Simmons heading to Philadelphia whether he likes it or not, anything can change from now until draft day on June 23.

If somehow Simmons falls to number two overall, Duke’s Brandon Ingram would be the likely choice for Philadelphia. Ingram is a talented small forward who unlike Simmons can stretch the floor, but many value Simmons’ all-around game over Ingram’s shooting ability.

With less than three weeks to go, it’ll be interesting to see how things change regarding the 76ers’ stance on which player they prefer to draft. Simmons and Ingram could end up changes places, but as of right now, the LSU product is the top prospect.