All indications are the Sixers will draft Ben Simmons with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft later this month and even the LSU forward's camp is getting ready to play in Philadelphia.

A lifelong Lakers fan, Simmons has interacted both with the Sixers and Lakers on social media in recent weeks since the 76ers won the NBA Draft Lottery and Los Angeles landed the No. 2 overall pick. However, after already inking a shoe deal with Nike, Simmons won't need to weigh his endorsement options quite as carefully with that paycheck already deposited.

According to a report from Tom Moore of the Burlington County Times, Simmons' handlers have already been preparing him as though he will go first overall:

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 decide between Simmons and Duke's Brandon Ingram long before they go on the clock June 23. Chad Ford of ESPN reported last week that the Sixers are leaning towards picking Simmons 'in a landslide.'

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975. Find Matt on Facebook .