The NBA Draft is just days away, and the Philadelphia 76ers are putting the finishing touches on their pre-draft preparations. On top of having the No. 1 pick, they also hold the No. 24 and No. 26 selections. Here's all the latest news and rumors surrounding the Sixers:
Philadelphia told Simmons they'd pick him No. 1 overall
The NBA Draft is still two days away, but the Sixers have already made up their mind on who to select.
This morning Philadelphia 76ers informed camp of Ben Simmons he would be taken No. 1 in NBA Draft, league sources tell @clevelanddotcom.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 21, 2016
It's not much of a surprise, as the LSU forward has long been the projected No. 1 overall pick, and the he Lakers are then expected to take Brandon Ingram No. 2.
The 76ers worked out the 6-foot-10 small forward Tuesday. ESPN reports the 76ers are now the only team with Simmons' medical info. Simmons averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game for LSU last season.
Sixers to acquire No. 3 pick in the draft?
The Boston Celtics have been aggressively shopping the No. 3 pick in the draft, and the Sixers have emerged as a potential trade partner. According to Tim Welsh of CSN Sports Night, the Sixers are pushing to acquire the No. 3 pick before the draft to select Providence PG Kris Dunn:
"Philly has told Kris Dunn's camp and his agent they are trying to push the buttons to have this happen before the draft," Welsh said. "They've been in Providence locked in to the city talking to everyone that's ever encountered Kris Dunn. They are putting the full court press on the Celtics to acquire the third pick. It could go down in the next two days, so we'll see. Boston has the upper hand in knowing what Philly wants."
Philadelphia has been shopping both Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor in hopes of acquiring another high draft pick, but Welsh said Boston prefers Noel due to his athleticism and shot-blocking abilities.
However, one major problem standing in the way of this deal is the rumors linking the Celtics to Jimmy Butler. The Bulls have been taking calls about trading the All-Star, and Boston has offered a trade package centered around the No. 3 pick - and they'd obviously prefer to acquire Butler over Noel.
If Chicago acquires the No. 3 pick, they also plan to draft Dunn, who averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game last season.
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