5 Reasons the Philadelphia 76ers Should Draft Tyler Ulis

Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) reacts in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) reacts in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Stony Brook Seawolves guard Carson Puriefoy (10) drives to the basket against Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) during the first half in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Stony Brook Seawolves guard Carson Puriefoy (10) drives to the basket against Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) during the first half in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Skill set that helps bigs

Ulis has a skill-set that offers the room for any big man to go to work in the paint. Whether it’s Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, or Joel Embiid running things in the center position, the Sixers need to place shooters around either of those three guys to maximize their effectiveness. Ulis is a guard that does just that.

Ulis shot 34.4 percent from beyond the arc in his sophomore season, which was actually a dip down from his incredible 42.9 percent freshman season. Many of the shots he hit were far away from the college 3-point line, which validates them not only as college 3-pointers, but also NBA 3-pointers in some cases. I would not be surprised to see Ulis become known as one of the league’s best sharpshooters over the next few seasons.

This 3-point game can draw the defense out, and stop clogging up the key like a lot of other Sixers players have been doping in the past few seasons. Embiid, Okafor, Noel, and even Ben Simmons could all benefit from this, as they play their best games in the paint.

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Although I would rather see taller, better built swingmen offer the 3-point shot that we need to see, I wouldn’t complain if Ulis is one of the main guys hitting the long ball.