Ben Simmons has been lighting up college basketball all season as the leader of LSU. The forward has been a consensus top draft pick for most of the year, as he is expected to enter the NBA following his freshman season. As LSU prepares for the SEC Conference Tournament, a large number of scouts are going to look at Simmons, including the Los Angeles Lakers' general manager Mitch Kupchak.
The Lakers will easily have a top five draft pick this year. The team had the No.2 pick in 2015 and could easily get just as high in 2016. With one of the worst records in the league, they are setting themselves up for another top pick to go with their young core of players. Once Kobe Bryant retires, that young group of players is expected to take over the franchise, and Simmons could be included.
Kupchak, along with scout Irving Thomas, will head to the SEC Tournament to watch Simmons very closely. Simmons is being viewed as a perfect replacement for Bryant on the court and a nice compliment to D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. Scouts say that Simmons has sublime driving skills and a nice pass-first mentality. Simmons is currently averaging 19.6 points and five assists per game. At 225 pounds, he has the perfect build for the NBA, and the Lakers are taking notice.
"He's certainly received his share of exposure and a lot of demand on his time as well," LSU Coach Johnny Jones said. "A lot of times when things haven't been so positive, I think as a young man that he's done a great job of being able to stay grounded, taking it for what it was worth and keeping his blinders on. It's really been the first time I've seen someone that has been asked to do as much."
Simmons could be a perfect addition to the Lakers, but there is no guarantee that he is an immediate success. Russell has been a perfect example of a top draft pick that is not ready right when the season starts. The point guard was drafted No. 2 overall and spent the first part of the season on the bench. Russell took plenty of time to develop, as did Randle, but he is now emerging as a potential star for the Lakers. Simmons could take the same route. There is now plenty of confidence in Russell, but that took time to build up.
"He's 20, he's played one year of college basketball, fresh out of high school, guys look at him like he's supposed to come in and light the world on fire," Coach Byron Scott said. "That's not the case. It takes time."
The Lakers are going to chase big names in free agency. The team wants a super star to pair with their young group, but they will also look to get one more top draft pick to cap off the bunch. Simmons has their attention.
