We are just about one week away from the NBA Draft and there is still plenty to figure out. The Los Angeles Lakers have the second overall pick again this summer and so far all indications are that they will be drafting Brandon Ingram come June 23.
The Duke product has already worked out for the Lakers and followed up that session by working out for the Philadelphia 76ers who have the top pick in the draft.
But the other possibility at #2 overall is taking a different approach to the pre-draft process. LSU’s Ben Simmons is billed by most to be the first overall pick in the draft and as such, the power forward has seemingly decided not to work out for anyone before the draft.
Following from Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer (h/t Pro Basketball Talk):
Unless something changes, the 76ers won’t work out Ben Simmons during the NBA predraft process – at least not at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
They are expected to use the first overall pick on the former Louisiana State University power forward. However, Simmons doesn’t plan on working out for NBA teams leading up to the June 23 NBA draft.
This certainly makes sense. Simmons is all but guaranteed to be a top two pick in this draft. If the Sixers decide to draft Ingram based on fit or because they think he has a higher ceiling, there is no way the Lakers choose to pass on the player who has been as hyped up as Simmons.
Simmons has nothing to gain from workouts. He can just sit back and relax and wait for his name to be called by Adam Silver on June 23.
