Point guard Tyler Ulis arrived at Las Vegas Summer League with a point to prove. The Phoenix Suns' second-round pick out of Kentucky fought knocks about his diminutive size (5-foot-10, 149-pounds) throughout his college career but few questions about his skill level. In Vegas, his ability has shown through three games and possibly put Ulis firmly in Phoenix's plans for next year.
According to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, the rookie guard's play in summer league and veteran guard Ronnie Price's likely departure from the team have given Ulis a chance to compete for the third point-guard spot behind Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight.
Ulis is second in Las Vegas in both steals and assists, and has only two turnovers through three games. Many projected Ulis as a first-round pick in June's draft, but he slipped to the fourth pick of the second round where Phoenix snapped him up. The Suns gave him a four-year contract, with two years guaranteed, which is comparable to a contract for a first-round pick. Now with his performance in summer league, Ulis might have a shot at playing time as a rookie.
The Suns signed veteran guard Leandro Barbosa away from the Golden State Warriors to a two-year deal. He represents Ulis's biggest obstacle to playing time. However, if Phoenix continues to run a two-point-guard lineup under head coach Earl Watson, then Ulis could be the pure point guard complement to Barbosa. Ulis could play in multiple lineups alongside any of the Suns guards, including his former Kentucky teammate and close friend Devin Booker.
