By: Brandon Apter, managing editor 
With two weeks remaining until the Sixers are on the clock for the 2016 NBA Draft, they are 'leaning heavily' towards selecting LSU forward Ben Simmons first overall. Although Simmons is known to be a lifelong Lakers fan, and at one point reportedly preferred LA, a report from Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times says that he has been preparing to play for Philadelphia since they won the lottery.
Agent Rich Paul, who represents LeBron James, John Wall and others, "has been preparing for his client to go to Philadelphia from the moment the Sixers got the" top selection in the May 17 draft lottery, according to the source.
Neither Simmons nor Paul has apparently made any public comments about draft preference and the Sixers since the lottery.
Simmons has a connection to the area in that his trainer lives in Drexel Hill. He's also known Sixers coach Brett Brown, who coached Simmons' dad in Melbourne, Australia, since birth.
The Sixers will likely choose either Simmons or Duke sharp-shooter Brandon Ingram, though Kentucky coach John Calipari thinks Philadelphia should go with Wildcats guard Jamal Murray.
