Colangelo isn't putting stock in rumors of Simmons avoiding 76ers
The lowly Philadelphia 76ers, who finished the 2015-16 regular season with a league-worst 10-72 record, will pick first in this summer's NBA draft in what many perceive as being a two-player class.
LSU's Ben Simmons is one of the two big prizes, along with Duke's Brandon Ingram. Reports have surfaced concerning Simmons' camp wanting the 19-year-old to land with the Los Angeles Lakers, as he could end up making more money long-term in a larger market.
That, along with all other rumors concerning Simmons wanting to avoid the Sixers in the hopes that the organization won't pick him, are a complete fabrication. At least, that's how general manager and president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo sees things.
"There's been a lot of that floating around. I know that some people like to poison the well," Colangelo said during an appearance on BR Radio with Howard Beck. "We've got good relationships with the agent, we've got good relationships with the family, because Brett (Brown) has known Ben Simmons' father for years."
He then added management has already spoken with Ingram at the Chicago combine, and the plan is for Simmons to visit Philadelphia to meet with the team and work out as well.
In terms of which player he's leaning towards, Colangelo said he'll do his due diligence ahead of the draft and provide the franchise with a cornerstone for the future.
"The bottom line is, we're going to pick the player that we think is the best fit for our team and the best piece for us to build around, and with," Colangelo added. "I'm pretty certain that those players that you're talking about, including some others that are largely considered in the top 5, all see this as a pretty good situation to start their NBA career.
"It seems a little bit inconsistent with a team that's had three years of losing, but what an opportunity for a young, transformational type of player to come into and really be a part of something special, as you build it from the ground up."