Fansided

Ben Simmons wants Lakers to draft him for bigger shoe contract

By Jason Parker

Feb 23, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts after committing a foul in the first half of a game with the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gunnar Rathbun-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts after committing a foul in the first half of a game with the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gunnar Rathbun-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ben Simmons, who is projected to be one of the top picks in June’s NBA Draft, wants the Lakers to pick him to help with his shoe contract talks.

Tuesday night, the 14 NBA teams that didn’t make it to the playoffs will have a representative on stage as the annual draft lottery is held. The Los Angeles Lakers will again be one of those teams, as the 17 time NBA champs have the second best chance of getting the top pick in the Draft.

When names are called this June, former LSU Tigers standout Ben Simmons is projected to be one of the first three names taken, if not the first overall. Simmons is now making it clear that he wants to be picked by the Lakers.

Is it because of the history? No. Is it because of the chance to help them rebuild? No.

It’s all about a potential shoe deal for the one and done college player, according to Yahoo! Sports:

"Simmons has five-year endorsement offers from adidas and Nike. Adidas is offering a $10 million deal that also includes a $2 million signing bonus and a $1 million incentive bonus for being named Rookie of the Year. There are also several other on-court performance triggers that would provide Simmons with elevated marketing, extra resources and possibly his own signature shoe should he play at an All-Star level.Nike is offering $7.5 million over five years with fewer performance incentives than the adidas contract structure.The early strategy from Simmons and his Klutch Sports Group representation was believed to be a desire to sign a shoe deal before the draft lottery, but they aren’t satisfied with the Nike offer, sources said. They’re hoping that if the Lakers land the top overall pick – which they have a 19.9 percent chance of doing – Nike will move closer to matching adidas’ offer."

Ben Simmons could still land with the Lakers even if he is not taken first overall. If the Lakers end up with the second or third pick and other teams pass on Simmons, the former LSU forward could still get his wish. If Los Angeles gets any pick lower than third, they lose it as part of previous trades.

With a nearly 20 percent chance of getting the top pick, the Lakers are just one spot lower than the Philadelphia 76ers, who have a 25 percent chance of getting the top pick after finishing with the worst record in the entire league last season.

For more NBA Draft news, check out our NBA Draft hub page.

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