LSU's Ben Simmons

[Nukem2]

Simmons has been labeled a #1 NBA pick and has not disappointed as he is averaging 18.7 PPG, 12.7 RPG and 4.7 RPG. Coach Johnny Jones has said Simmons can play any position and his stats seem to show that. Interestingly, though, Simmons has yet to attempt a 3 point shot in 3 games. That's weird.

[CaribouJim]

He is so freakin' good and so polished. I'll be interested in MU's game plan to contain him other than praying.

[IrwinFletcher]

Not sure who can or will attempt to guard him. Quick and strong.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

Well our defense hasn't been able to stop anyone, so I'm not sure how you stop a future #1 draft pick with only a few days to get your act together. Based off comments I'd imagine we see a lot of zone and just hope for poor shooting.

[Markedman]

Ben Simmons' final line: 43 points (15-of-20 FG, 13-of-15 FT), 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, 5 steals. #LSU

[Goose85]

Ben Simmons' final line: 43 points (15-of-20 FG, 13-of-15 FT), 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, 5 steals. #LSU

Huge stat line, and LSU needed all of that to beat North Florida 119-108, after trailing by 8 at the half.

[TAS35]

If LSU's coach isn't fired after this year for wasting all that insane talent, then whoever their AD is should be fired as well. It is a travesty that they aren't dominating teams, including us. Luke and Henry couldn't guard Simmons in space, they should have cleared out and let him attack every time. I think it actually happened like 3 times all game.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

If LSU's coach isn't fired after this year for wasting all that insane talent, then whoever their AD is should be fired as well. It is a travesty that they aren't dominating teams, including us. Luke and Henry couldn't guard Simmons in space, they should have cleared out and let him attack every time. I think it actually happened like 3 times all game.

Jones is a great recruiter, but he's squandered more talent than that. Johnny O'Bryant, Jarrell Martin, and Jordan Mickey were on the same team that missed the Dance in 2014, all are now playing in the NBA. Now that everyone on the team is his recruit, he has a ton of talent, but no guard play. Simmons is running the point for them. Not the only coach undone by his inability to recruit point guards.

[MayorBeluga]

Jones is a great recruiter, but he's squandered more talent than that. Johnny O'Bryant, Jarrell Martin, and Jordan Mickey were on the same team that missed the Dance in 2014, all are now playing in the NBA. Now that everyone on the team is his recruit, he has a ton of talent, but no guard play. Simmons is running the point for them. Not the only coach undone by his inability to recruit point guards.

So he's the Perry Clark of this decade?

[MUMac]

If LSU's coach isn't fired after this year for wasting all that insane talent, then whoever their AD is should be fired as well. It is a travesty that they aren't dominating teams, including us. Luke and Henry couldn't guard Simmons in space, they should have cleared out and let him attack every time. I think it actually happened like 3 times all game.

They won't fire him. They only care about football and trying to run out highly successful coaches.

[KMWTRUCKS]

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/print?id=107485&imagesPrint=off

here is a good article and the Cap going 20 mil next year and 15 the year after that.

Rookie scale amounts are already set through the 2020 draft, so rookies drafted in 2017 will need to wait four years to enjoy the fruits of the increased cap. In fact, the No. 1 pick in 2017 is set to make $27.5 million over four years, the 10th pick $12 million in that time, and the 30th pick $6 million.

Lockout could alter rookie scale
Of course, that’s only if the current system is still in place for the 2017 draft picks, as both the players' association and the owners can opt out of the collective bargaining agreement after the 2016-17 NBA season, at which point the rookie contract system could be up for renegotiation.

However, future draft picks are an unrepresented party in labor talks. No current players will ever sign another rookie contract, obviously, so negotiating to pay future rookies more would only take money out of the pockets of the current constituency.

Keeping rookie salaries low is also great for owners, who will get the benefit of cheap rookie talent to supplement their rosters.

That could mean only agents will exert pressure for rookies to take home a slice of the projected 54 percent increase in the salary cap over the next two seasons.

What does this mean for the 2016 draft?
What we do know is that the rookie scale will stay intact for the 2016 draft, which could impact the behavior of teams and potential draftees given the labor uncertainty if they anticipate an increase in the rookie scale or a change in the way rookie contracts are negotiated the following year.

Players might be more apt to stay in school an extra year and take their chances with whatever might come of labor talks after the 2016-17 season. The downside for such a player is that it will take him a year longer to reach free agency and make the big bucks.

For teams, first-round draft picks could become more valuable knowing they will be getting those players at pre-cap explosion rookie prices while the salary structure of the rest of the league skyrockets.

With so many unknowns ahead on the labor front, teams that hit on their 2015 and 2016 draft picks will see their cap sheets reap the benefits.