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NBA Draft 2016: 5 reasons 76ers should draft Ben Simmons with top pick

By Andrew C. Lovell

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Dec 1, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) and center Jahlil Okafor (8) celebrate a score against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) and center Jahlil Okafor (8) celebrate a score against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Roster flexibility

This is an interesting aspect, but one that’s sure to gain more attention in the weeks following the draft.

The 76ers’ roster, as presently constructed, is heavy on big men. Nerlens Noel, the No. 6 pick in 2013, and Jahlil Okafor, the No. 2 pick in 2015, both played roughly 30 minutes per game last season and were key pieces despite battling injuries.

Former Kansas center Joel Embiid, the No. 3 pick in 2014, has missed his first two NBA seasons due to an ongoing foot issue, but Brown repeatedly stated during Tuesday’s lottery broadcast how excited he was for Embiid to join the mix next season.

Brown also expressed excitement over Croatian forward Dario Saric, whom the 76ers acquired in a draft-day trade with the Orlando Magic back in 2014. Saric, a 22-year-old, 6-foot-10 power forward and former Croatian League Finals MVP, would add another promising big man.

When does too much of a good thing become bad? Surely, Philadelphia couldn’t enter the season trying to spread frontcourt minutes between Simmons, Okafor, Noel, Embiid and Saric. That would quickly become a headache.

Rather, the sudden glut of big men opens up opportunities for trades to improve the backcourt. Noel would seem to be the most likely trade candidate, but any of them (outside of Simmons) could probably be had in the right deal.

Next: No. 1: Star potential

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