NBA mock draft: Who will take a chance on Aussie Ben Simmons?

THE NBA draft order finally set, the arguments can begin with who is better at the top of the draft — Brandon Ingram or Australia’s Ben Simmons.

AFTER all of Philadelphia’s intentional losses finally equalled a win at the NBA Draft lottery, now comes the inevitable question of whom they will draft with the No. 1 pick.

With the draft order finally set, the water-cooler — or barstool — arguments can begin with who is better at the top of the draft between Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons, as can the hand-wringing over what top prospects the Knicks and Nets will miss out on after dealing away their picks.

1. 76ers

Brandon Ingram, SF, 6-9, Duke

It’s not just about who’s better, but also who is a better fit with Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. The answer is Ingram, who has a 7-foot-3 wingspan, can guard multiple spots and averaged 17.3 points and 6.8 boards to carry a flawed team to the Sweet 16.

2. Lakers

Ben Simmons, PF, 6-10, LSU

Supposedly Simmons would rather go to L.A. than Philadelphia; the Lakers would be fine with that. They end up with the electrifying Simmons, who is more NBA-ready physically than Ingram, but whose Achilles heel is his outside shot.

3. Celtics (from Nets)

Dragan Bender, PF, 7-1, Maccabi, Tel Aviv

Fran Fraschilla told The Post: “He’s the closest thing to Porzingis. He can play away from the basket. He doesn’t have Porzingis’ dunking ability, but he’s a full year younger at this stage.” If he turns into the star Boston is lacking, Nets fans will vomit.

4. Suns

Jaylen Brown, SG/SF, 6-7, Cal

The Suns need another wing, and the 19-year-old is the best one on the board despite a shaky jumper.

5. Timberwolves

Kris Dunn, PG, 6-4, Providence

The most complete guard and most finished product in the draft at age 22, he’d fit right in from opening night running a team with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

6. Pelicans

Jamal Murray, PG/SG, 6-5, Kentucky

They can’t keep wasting Anthony Davis. Between Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon and Jrue Holiday, none are consistent or signed long-term. If Dunn isn’t available, Murray could be a mainstay in the back-court, albeit more of a two-guard.

(From left to right) NBA draft prospects Jaylen Brown, Skal Labissiere, Jamal Murray and Brandon Ingram at Tuesday night’s lottery.

7. Nuggets (from Knicks)

Buddy Hield, 6-4, SG, Oklahoma

A seasoned 22-year-old deadeye shooter, who hit 46.4 per cent from deep as senior, added to a team that was just 25th in the league in 3-point shooting? Yes, please.

8. Kings

Denzel Valentine, SG, 6-6, Michigan State

He’s not a great defender or explosive player, but the 22-year-old is a smart, versatile, productive one who’d be an added decision-maker on a team in need of some good decisions.

9. Raptors (from Nuggets)

Deyonta Davis, PF/C, 6-10, Michigan State

As good as Jakob Poeltl is, Toronto’s only glaring need is power forward, so the 19-year-old’s jumper and shot-blocking at the 4 fits them perfectly.

10. Bucks

Jakob Poeltl, C, 7-1, Utah

His return for another year of school boosted his stock to the point where he’s the top centre in the draft — and good enough to make the Bucks consider him despite all that cash they gave Greg Monroe.

11. Magic

Marquese Chriss, PF, 6-10, Washington

The Magic need a power forward to slot between centre Nikola Vucevic and small forward Aaron Gordon. Chriss offers a high upside.

12. Jazz

Timothe Luwawu, SG/SF, 6-6, Mega Leks (Adriatic League)

Fits the 3-and-D mould. A sizeable, athletic wing who slots in with the Jazz’s young core.

13. Suns

Skal Labissiere, PF, 6-11, Kentucky

After dealing Markieff Morris, Phoenix needs a power forward. If he gets by the Kings and Magic, he won’t get by the Suns, who’ll need patience with the young Haitian.

14. Bulls

Wade Baldwin, PG, 6-3, Vanderbilt

If the Bulls are starting to plan ahead for the post-Derrick-Rose era — and they should be — the Hillsboro (NJ) native is a long-armed, solid shooter with upside.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post

Originally published as NBA mock draft: Who will take a chance on Aussie Ben Simmons?