Is Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram the better fit for the Philadelphia 76ers?

The Philadelphia 76ers are in the lottery for the fourth year in a row, and this time they have the number-one overall pick. The Sixers have toiled in the depths of the NBA for a very long time, so this pick is an important one to set up the team for the future. Luckily, there are two players that standout above the pack in Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. Philadelphia has reportedly informed Simmons that he be the number-one overall pick, but is he really the right fit for Philadelphia?

Simmons had one of the best seasons statistically for a freshman in recent memory. At LSU he produced across the board on offense. His combination of size and court-vision allowed him to play the point-forward role and run the offense. He’s an outstanding passer and loves setting up his teammates. He averaged 19 points, but his scoring comes solely from within 10 feet of the basket. He has an adept low-post game and crashes the offensive glass. If Simmons can diversify his offense by adding a jumpshot from the perimeter, he’d be a better fit with the Sixers as currently constructed. Philadelphia currently has low-post players in Jahlil Okafor, the yet-to-be-seen Joel Embid and Nerlens Noel, who has been rumored to be on the trading block. Simmons would definitely be able to dish out the assists, but his scoring will be limited in that offense.

Ingram might be the better all-around prospect because of his upside. He’s just 196 pounds, barely filling his 6-foot-9 frame, but his body is still developing. His athleticism is already there and he can finish through contact, though that would be tough to replicate in the NBA if he doesn’t pack on the pounds. Ingram is versatile and plays more like a guard than a forward, possessing really good ball-handling and footwork. His length makes him a very capable defender and he possesses a strong motor on that side of the ball, but again, his lack of strength will be a detriment against NBA forwards. Still, his scoring prowess makes him a solid fit for the Sixers, who lack a go-to scorer. Combining with Okafor, the two of them would provide an inside-outside look that would be tough to defend. But if the Sixers do decide to go with Simmons, Ingram will take his talents to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he’ll eventually develop into Hollywood’s biggest star.

The reality is, Philadelphia really can’t go wrong with either of these guys. The future is bright for both of them. Simmons is like pizza and Ingram is like gourmet French cuisine. Either of them would be the perfect cornerstone to lead the Sixers out of the depths of obscurity.

Be sure to tune in to SiriusXM NBA Radio for the NBA Draft on Thursday, June 16.