2016 NBA Draft: Best Floor Generals
By Chris Stone
3. Ben Simmons, PF, LSU
LSU’s Ben Simmons is the other non-point guard on our list, but it’s not hard to understand the reasons why. A big factor in what will likely make Simmons the draft’s first overall pick come June 23rd is his ability to command an offense despite being the size of a power forward. At 6-10, the 19-year old’s incredible court vision and ability to handle the ball will make him a difficult matchup for most of the league’s current fours.
Related Story: Ben Simmons Scouting Report
Simmons’ statistics are solid for a point guard let alone a player who logged many of his minutes as his team’s center in college. He is the only power forward prospect in the draft with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio and his 27.4 percent assist rate rivals that of many of the top point guards in the class. While he only averaged 5.5 assists per 40 minutes, it won’t be surprising to see that number rise once Simmons is playing with NBA quality shooters along the perimeter.
Simmons may have the size of a power forward and is likely best suited to play that position defensively, but his best position on offense may be as his team’s point guard playing alongside a number of shooters who can help open up the floor for him to take advantage of the mismatch that he should have nearly every night in the NBA.
To read more about Ben Simmons, click here.
Next: 2. Kris Dunn