Simmons hopes of becoming a Laker in limbo after NBA Draft lottery

NBA-bound Aussie Ben Simmons wants to play for the Lakers. Those hopes took a major blow today — and the internet laughed.

Ben Simmons is the prize on offer for many teams today.

AUSTRALIAN basketball prodigy Ben Simmons’ hopes of starting his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers took a major blow at today’s NBA Draft Lottery.

The Philadelphia 76ers landed the number one pick — which the majority of NBA executives expect will be used to select the Melbourne-born forward.

DRAFT ORDER AFTER TODAY’S LOTTERY

1. Philadelphia 76ers

2. Los Angeles Lakers

3. Boston Celtics

4. Phoenix Suns

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

6. New Orleans Pelicans

7. Denver Nuggets

8. Sacramento Kings

9. Toronto Raptors

10. Milwaukee Bucks

11. Orlando Magic

12. Utah Jazz

13. Phoenix Suns

14. Chicago Bulls

Simmons is reportedly hoping to land in LA, partly because of the impact it will have on the size of the shoe deal he will sign.

The 19-year-old has major offers from both Nike and adidas, but was waiting until after today’s lottery to decide which company will own his brand for the next five years, sources told Yahoo Sports.

Adidas has put a five-year, $10 million deal on the table, with the added intrigue of a $2 million signing bonus and a number of money-heavy incentives along the way.

Shoe mega-giant Nike on the other hand are offering the Louisiana State University star a smaller $7.5 million spread across the same time frame, and don’t offer as many cash bonuses along the way.

Brandon Ingram.

Ben Simmons.

Nike however would appear to be the brand of choice in the Simmons camp, given his career at Nike school LSU and the dominance of Nike-sponsored athletes on the books at agency Klutch Sports Group, where the Aussie is signed.

A dissatisfaction with the original Nike offer was cited as the reason Simmons and his agent failed to sign a deal prior to the draft lottery, in the hope his draft selection would bump up the monetary figures.

But those plans are now in limbo after the 76ers slice of luck. “My immediate thoughts go to the city of Philadelphia. They have been true fans ... allowing us to go through the process that we have,” said 76ers coach Brett Brown, after drawing pole position in June’s draft. “We’re very excited the position we are now in.”

Philadelphia finished the season with a league-worst 10-72 record as it continues on a designed tanking plan to assemble a championship-calibre roster.

Will be really interesting to see how Ben Simmons' camp handles things now. No secret he wants to end up in LA. Will he visit Philly?

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 18, 2016

Ben Simmons wants no parts of the Philadelphia 76ers

— Everette Taylor (@Everette) May 18, 2016

It'll be interesting to see if the Sixers select Brandon Ingram (more of a scorer) or Ben Simmons (point forward and more of a facilitator).

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 18, 2016

Of course Simmons could still find his way to the City of Angels if former Australian Boomers coach Brown and the 76ers decide they like Duke forward Brandon Ingram better.

Some analysts believe Ingram is better-suited to today’s NBA because of his superior shooting ability.

7-1 Joel Embiid
6-11 Nerlens Noel
6-11 Jahlil Okafor
6-10 Dario Saric
And now, the 76ers are going to add Ben Simmons (6-10). #SmallBallEra

— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) May 18, 2016

The 76ers roster is already stacked with young bigs, including Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and Turkish-based Dario Saric, whose rights it owns.

Twitter users mocked Simmons after the results of today’s lottery, suggesting the result was not what he wanted.

Ben Simmons right now pic.twitter.com/R5t4xA1QOF

— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) May 18, 2016

Ben Simmons right now @RTNBA pic.twitter.com/wKPPIVJ2jc

— Abdul Memon (@abdulamemon) May 18, 2016

Saved you a seat on the sad table, Ben Simmons! pic.twitter.com/c7j1nX0Btb

— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) May 18, 2016

If Ben Simmons wants to slide to the Lakers, Celtics, Suns or Timberwolves on draft day. We know a way how... pic.twitter.com/k1VxyqVOoO

— Woot and Wye NFL (@WootandWye) May 18, 2016

Ben Simmons when he realizes he's going to the 76ers. pic.twitter.com/Ufz9tsJk4z

— Joestradamus (@SportsTalkJoe) May 18, 2016

Tough luck, Ben Simmons. #Lakers #Sixers pic.twitter.com/cbxDgJFBA7

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 18, 2016

If you add Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram to the Sixers, they immediately become a 16 or even 17-win team.

— SportsPickle (@sportspickle) May 18, 2016

Ben Simmons has just withdrawn from the NBA draft

— White Goodman (@White_Goodman_) May 18, 2016

BEN SIMMONS BROUGHT TO YOU BY STUB HUB

— ☕netw3rk (@netw3rk) May 18, 2016

lmao Ben Simmons thought he hated college wait til he gets to Philly

— Myles Brown (@mdotbrown) May 18, 2016