The Sixer Sense
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Draft And Stash – Optimizing 2016 NBA Draft Picks 24 and 26

By Bret Stuter

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyle Wiltjer

Kyle Wiltjer is a 23 year old 6’10” 238 forward with incredible offensive skills and a great basketball IQ.

He’s got a good perspective.  Wiltjer is a blue collar mentaility, a “just give me the ball and the chance to earn my way”, a mentality that resonates with the very fiber of the Philadelphia 76ers fan base.  But it’s more than a determined mindset that brings him to mind in the NBA draft.

It’s that oh so very sweet offensive shot chart is too good to look away from.

Don’t get me wrong, Kyle Wiltjer has the potential to be something very special in the NBA someday. He simply needs more focus on the non-offense aspects of the game.  So why stash him?  He is a defensive liability, and he needs some polish on his ball handling skills.

Wiltjer’s perceived defensive shortcomings and lack of elite athleticism create a lot of doubt with league observers about whether he can stay on the floor in the NBA long enough to be a contributor.  He needs to smooth the rough edges on his shortcomings.  A short assignment where he can more fully develop defensive skills would be a nice way to ensure he arrives and stays at the NBA level.

Next: Summary