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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 reasons why Cavs should sign Tyler Ulis

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 23: Shaquille Harrison #10 and Tyler Ulis #8 of the Phoenix Suns talk during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 120-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shaquille Harrison; Tyler Ulis
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 23: Shaquille Harrison #10 and Tyler Ulis #8 of the Phoenix Suns talk during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 120-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shaquille Harrison; Tyler Ulis /
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OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 1: Tyler Ulis #8 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on April 1, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 1: Tyler Ulis #8 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on April 1, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Potential

Players are given up on far too quickly in some circumstances, and Ulis, because of the potential he’s shown, shouldn’t be one of them. Ulis has averaged at least 12 points per 36 minutes in each of his professional seasons, which, while not elite, is far better than many current NBA players.

Many teams and coaches are thrown off by his height though, or at least that’s one glaring reason why he might’ve received little interest this offseason. At just 5-foot-10, it’s difficult to justify allowing Ulis to play big minutes when it means your defense may struggle.

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That is one reason he’s struggled to show that potential.

Offensively, he’s yet to showcase what he can truly produce either. On a weaker Suns team, if Ulis joins Cleveland, he’d be playing with Cleveland’s second unit alongside elite sharpshooters like Channing Frye and Kyle Korver. Their offensive distractions should help him shine.

From 14.2 to 12.0 points per 36 minutes, Ulis took a step backward during his second season in the league despite being given more minutes. That trend might’ve been one reason the Suns decided not to hang onto the 22-year-old.

He’s just that though, 22.

Ulis still has time to mature with his decision-making. While Ulis most likely won’t be the league’s next Muggsy Bogues, the 5-foot-3 guard that played 14 seasons in the league, he could at the very least be a capable backup point guard.

While limited potential is there, Cleveland should really consider Ulis because of this last reason.