NBA Rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves Drafting Ben Simmons From LSU Tigers

NBA rumors are swirling around Ben Simmons. The draft is right around the corner, and he’s still expected to be the first player taken. Fan Sided believes that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be a tremendous destination for Simmons if they win the lottery.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been on a roll lately with first round draft picks.

In 2014, they sent franchise player Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Andrew Wiggins. Kyrie Irving and LeBron James needed some help in their championship chase, and the Minnesota Timberwolves were looking to rebuild. The Kansas Jayhawks star was the first overall pick. The 6’8?, 200- pound guard played well enough to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

In 2015, the Minnesota Timberwolves won the NBA Draft Lottery. They chose Karl Anthony Towns from the Kentucky Wildcats. It was an easy choice, as many viewed him as the player that was most ready to play in the National Basketball Association. Earlier this week, it was announced that Towns had won the Rookie of the Year award.

Ben Simmons is said to be one of those generational NBA players. Some have compared him to LeBron James, both in skills and potential. Despite being 6’10”, 240 pounds, Simmons plays more like a guard. He loves setting up his teammates for easy baskets.

The Minnesota Timberwolves would have quite a tremendous foundation with Andrew Wiggins, Ben Simmons and Karl Anthony Towns as their three best players.

If Ben Simmons plays well enough to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award, then this might be the year that the Minnesota Timberwolves finally break their 12-year playoff drought. They haven’t been to the postseason since Kevin Garnett left for the Boston Celtics. That’s a pretty long time for a fan base that enjoyed the playoffs for eight straight years.

New Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau would have quite a few toys to play with if the team somehow landed Ben Simmons.

Tom Thibodeau can throw out a big lineup for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Andrew Wiggins would be bigger than most shooting guards in the NBA. Same thing with Ben Simmons at small forward. Karl Anthony Towns playing power forward is a matchup gold mine, especially since coaches are moving towards small ball lineups.

Small ball lineups are also something that the Minnesota Timberwolves can throw at opponents. They can swap starting center Gorgui Dieng with shooting guard Zach Lavine. Andrew Wiggins, Ben Simmons, and Karl Anthony Towns would form quite an athletic front line. Throw in Ricky Rubio and his high-paced style of play, and the Timberwolves can outrun several NBA teams.

Unlike most first overall picks in the NBA Draft, Ben Simmons has a very good chance at landing in a desirable destination.

The Boston Celtics are one of the most improved teams in the NBA. They surprised a lot of people by making the playoffs. Thanks to some pretty clever moves by general manager Danny Ainge, they have a lottery pick. Adding a potential superstar like Ben Simmons could take the Celtics to another level.

If their pick falls within the first three, then the Los Angeles Lakers will have a chance at drafting Ben Simmons. The franchise is already loaded with talented young players like Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, and Julius Randle. Simmons would give the Lakers quite the quartet to rebuild around.

While the NBA Draft is always an exciting time, it is even more exciting this year. Minnesota Timberwolves fans are hoping they can get excited over Ben Simmons.

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