Before the 2016 NBA Draft lottery took place, Nick DePaula of the Vertical reported that LSU forward Ben Simmons' representatives were attempting to find a way to get him to the Los Angeles Lakers in the hopes of landing a bigger shoe deal.
The Philadelphia 76ers said they weren't afraid of such a scenario, even when it became clear Simmons didn't plan to work out for any teams before the draft. In the wake of Simmons signing with Nike and meeting with Sixers officials for dinner before game six of the 2016 NBA Finals, it appears their lack of fear was well founded.
Chad Ford of ESPN reports that in addition to the Sixers getting Simmons' medical records at the meal, Simmons has no plans to have a "similar sit down" with the Lakers. Given that Philadelphia is widely expected to take Simmons with the first overall pick, it makes sense that the 19-year old forward isn't planning to take a meeting with a team he in all likelihood won't play for.
The Lakers may not even have a problem with their lack of a sit-down with Simmons. Jonathan Givony of the Vertical reported on Friday morning that the Lakers prefer Duke forward Brandon Ingram to Simmons anyway, so while the team surely would have taken a meeting with Simmons had he been willing to offer one, it looks like both sides are probably happy with the outcome of this part of the predraft process.
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