Tyler Ulis

If Ulis’ slight 5-foot-10, 149-pound frame didn’t deter teams from drafting him, it’s likely that his purported hip issue that several doctors red flagged resulted in the point guard sliding out of the first round in June’s draft. The Suns apparently voiced no such concerns in selecting Ulis with the 34th overall pick, and the team’s decision already seems to have been validated. The former Kentucky standout dazzled during the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 14.5 points, 6.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.5 rebounds in six appearances while outplaying Suns first-round picks Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss. Efficiency was an issue for the diminutive point guard, but he looked like a difference maker on the defensive end, where he used his quick hands and foot speed to cause problems for opposing ball handlers. Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight represent the Suns’ top two options at point guard heading into the season, but Ulis may have put himself in the conversation for a low-minute role as a third-string option at the position. He could be one of the rare second-round picks who ends up being contributing player in the rotation as a rookie.