2016 NBA Draft: Five big questions

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Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) sits on the bench during the first half of game seven of the SEC tournament against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Who will the Philadelphia 76ers take with the first pick? Who should they take with the first pick?

Ian Levy: Simmons is the answer to both questions. Drafting for fit is irrelevant when you’re actively pursuing trades for Nerlens Noel and/or Jahlil Okafor, you don’t have a point guard, or really even a full rotation’s worth of NBA players. Simmons seems to be the favorite of most scouts and he’s rated as a significantly better prospect by statistical projection systems. Philadelphia already seems to be leaning in the direction of Simmons and there’s no reason to make it complicated — take the best player then figure it out from there.

Josh Hill: They should take Brandon Ingram but they probably will take Ben Simmons. I’m not totally sold that this new regime is any different than the last, and taking the best player available in Simmons, and not the best potential fit in Ingram, seems like the move they’re going for.

Chris Stone: They should and will take Ben Simmons. Drafting another power forward will likely cause some cascading roster moves, including potentially trading either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor, but Simmons is worth the risk because of his incredibly unique skill set in the front court.

Tom West: Ben Simmons is who they will and should select. Brandon Ingram may appear to be the easier fit to enter their rotation on the wing, but as reports continue that Noel or Okafor are likely being dealt, Simmons will have more opportunity at power forward. For the 76ers, it makes sense for them to take a shot with the player who could become one of the more unique stars in the NBA.

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