1) Ben Simmons (13/4 odds)
Simmons was the number one overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft with very good reason behind it. At LSU, he averaged 19 points/12 boards/5 assists in his only season . He has skills that have NBA scout drooling over the idea of him taking the lead of nearly any team in today’s NBA where big men are progressively being moved out of the game and being replaced with more shooters and ball-handlers.
Simmons is a 6-foot-10 stretch four that has drawn comparisons to Magic Johnson and LeBron James with his size combined with his incredible court vision and handle. He is also a very solid rebounder that should be averaging 15 points/10 boards/5 assists in his sleep at the NBA level once he’s settled in.
In Philadelphia, Simmons will be given the reigns to a very depleted roster that basically features three centers and himself at this point in time. Jerryd Bayless was inked by the 76ers on Friday, but Simmons will likely be the guy who dominates the play-making duties for the 76ers.
Simmons should get plenty of minutes as well as a starting spot on the 76ers’ roster, which automatically puts him in the short conversation for Rookie of the Year. While I think it will take him a season or two to get acclimated to the NBA game, I believe that his current skill set is enough to make his stat line very appealing as soon as this year.
must read: Predicting Where The Remaining Big Name RFA Will Land
Simmons could be one of the best players in the NBA in a few years and he could start off his storied career with a Rookie of the Year trophy.