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NBA Rumors: Ben Simmons likely to avoid all draft workouts

By Tom West

Feb 13, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) brings the ball up court against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) brings the ball up court against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thought to be avoiding the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons is reportedly not going to work out for any teams ahead of the 2016 NBA Draft.

The 2016 NBA Draft is rapidly approaching, which means the rumor mill is working overtime. One rumor to develop in the past week was that Ben Simmons was avoiding a workout with the Philadelphia 76ers to ensure he falls to the Los Angeles Lakers with the No. 2 pick. Despite Brandon Ingram being an ideal wing for today’s NBA with a 7’3″ wingspan, shooting range, shot creation, defensive, Simmons is still viewed as the likely No. 1 pick due to the 76ers’ interest in his rare talent.

However, it turns out Simmons was not avoiding working out with the 76ers for the sake of pursuing L.A. and the Lakers, but, per a report by Keith Pompey on Philly.com, that he is not planning on working out for any NBA teams:

"Unless something changes, the 76ers won’t work out 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."

Well, that should reassure any 76ers fans who were frustrated that Simmons wasn’t giving them a workout.

No, he isn’t against the organization and no, he isn’t on a mission to join the Lakers rather than anyone else. Clearly, instead of putting himself out there to any team that wants to examine his game, Simmons is letting scouts and GMs weigh him up based on what they know already. Different prospects handle the draft differently, and clearly Simmons is taking a more reclusive approach.

That being said, 76ers president Bryan Colangelo said to Pompey that he still believes Simmons wants to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick:

"“It’s not a red flag. Everybody deals with the draft process differently. Sometimes agents are involved. Sometimes families are involved in those decisions. Again, everything we get in respect to our intel that it relates to Ben, is he would very much like to be selected No. 1.”"

Until further notice, it looks like the 2016 NBA Draft will start with the 76ers taking Simmons first overall, regardless of his workout decisions.

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