Despite a deep draft of point guards, the Philadelphia 76ers are approaching their roster construction as though Ben Simmons will be their starting point guard long-term.

"I feel that the team has to try that immediately," Brett Brown said. "In my eyes, we are going to try that. I feel that it's something that I doubt you say, 'That didn't work,' and you just move on quickly.

"There has to be a body of work that you judge him on."

Simmons will miss this entire season after surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot.

Among those expected to be the top point guards in June's draft are Washington's Markelle Fultz, UCLA's Lonzo Ball, North Carolina State's Dennis Smith Jr., and Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox. Also in the mix is Frank Ntilikina, an 18-year-old French point guard.

There are also a number of free agent point guards with Kyle Lowry in particular linked to the 76ers due to ties to Philadelphia.