The Chicago Bulls have signed Chicago product Tyler Ulis to a two-way contract after claiming him off waivers on Sunday, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Ulis spent the first two seasons of his career with the Phoenix Suns, but he was waived in June despite career averages of 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and a pronounced ability to command an offense. The point guard briefly joined the Golden State Warriors on an Exhibit 10 contract and was waived, only to see the Bulls scoop him up so he couldn't join the Warriors' G League team, the Santa Cruz Warriors.
At 5-foot-10, it's only natural that Ulis has been overlooked by so many NBA scouts and teams. However, his basketball IQ and court vision allow him to make a definitive impact despite his smaller stature.
Defensively, Ulis' lack of size will always be a concern. He's going to be exploited in mismatches a fair amount of time he's on the court, but he's a floor general who can be relied on enough to be a rotation-level player, even if that's not in the Bulls' plans for the upcoming season.
After trading backup point guard Jerian Grant to the Orlando Magic in a three-team deal, point guard Cameron Payne effectively became the team's backup. With Payne's reputation for inefficiency and ineffectiveness, it wouldn't be surprising for Ulis to earn a call-up and a chance to prove he belongs on the 15-man roster. Ryan Arcidiacono and Antonio Blakeney are other point guard options for the team.
Ulis will be a fan favorite in Chicago whether he's playing for the Bulls or their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. He starred for Marian Catholic HS in Chicago Heights before accepting an offer to play for John Calipari and the University of Kentucky.
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