2017 NBA Mock Draft: The best choice each team can make

With the Los Angeles Lakers passing on UCLA’s Lonzo Ball at No. 2, this selection should be incredibly easy for the Philadelphia 76ers. Not only is Ball the top remaining player on the board, but he’s nearly a perfect fit for the Sixers’ plans to use Ben Simmons as a point forward.

Given Simmons’ shooting woes, there’s a need to surround him with teammates who can knock down outside jumpers and Ball can certainly do that. He made 41.2 percent of his 3-point attempts this season despite a funky shooting motion. Ball has deep range on his shot as well, which helps bend the floor even more as defenses have to respect him well beyond the 3-point arc. His gravity off the ball will help open up driving lanes for Simmons to get into the paint and breakdown the defense.

Philadelphia can also be less concerned about losing maximum value for Ball despite positioning him as a secondary ball-handler. The 6-foot-6 guard’s creation struggles have been well chronicled, but his ability to attacking rotating defenses in transition and the halfcourt is extraordinary. With Simmons taking on the initial defensive wave, Ball will be free to cut and create secondary chances off the dribble, which would like maximize his offensive strengths.

Learn more about Lonzo Ball at The Step Back.