Chicago Bulls claim point guard Tyler Ulis off waivers
The Chicago Bulls have added another Chicago story to their roster, claiming 5-foot-10 point guard Tyler Ulis off waivers Sunday.
Ulis is expected to convert to a two-way contract, which would mean he will split time between the NBA Bulls and the G-League's Windy City Bulls.
Ulis attended Marian Catholic High School in South Suburban Chicago Heights, before playing two years in college at Kentucky.
He was a second-round pick of Phoenix in 2016 and stayed in the playing rotation for most of his two seasons with the Suns. Ulis averaged 7.6 points and 4.1 assists in 21.1 minutes during his time in Phoenix, but he was released in the summer and spent the preseason with Golden State.
When he headed off to college, Ulis was described by some analysts as an "old school" point guard. But he turned out to be a capable scorer, averaging 17.3 points and 7.0 assists during his sophomore year at Kentucky.
He finished fourth in voting for 2013 Illinois Mr. Basketball, behind new teammate Jabari Parker and Jahlil Okafor, who placed first and second, respectively. Last Nov. 28, Ulis produced 14 points and 7 assists in a Suns victory at the United Center.
Arcidiacono might unpack:
It seems like point guard Ryan Arcidiacono will open the regular season on the Bulls' roster, but coach Fred Hoiberg didn't confirm that situation Sunday.
"We're excited for Arch," Hoiberg said at the Advocate Center. "He's first in the gym, he's an extremely hard worker, he pushes everyone to their limits with his intensity."
The Bulls released four players Saturday who were not expected to make the final roster - point guard Derrick Walton Jr., wings Antonius Cleveland and Kaiser Gates, along with power forward JaKarr Sampson. It's possible all four will end up on the Windy City Bulls, while the two-way players appear set with Rawle Alkins and new-addition Tyler Ulis.
Arcidiacono was a two-way player last season, showing nice improvement over the course of the year. If he sticks, the former Villanova star likely would be the third-string point guard behind Kris Dunn and Cameron Payne, though the Bulls used Arcidiacono in place of Zach LaVine to start the second half of Friday's preseason finale against Denver.
"Whatever our team needs, that's what they'll get from me," said Arcidiacono, who admitted feeling nervous Friday about impending cuts. "Whether that's being a backup or the third point-guard spot, I'm just here to compete and make our team better and hopefully get us some victories."
Parker finishes well:
Jabari Parker delivered his best performance of the preseason Friday, scoring a team-high 19 points while hitting 7 of 11 shots from the field. Parker moved into a reserve role during the final two exhibition contests.
"The more time I have, the more comfortable I was getting on the floor, knowing what spot I needed to be at," Parker said Sunday. "Whatever happens happens. (His role) just shouldn't dictate how I go. It's still improving for me, and I'll get there one day."
The Bulls will get three more days of practice before Thursday's regular-season opener at Philadelphia.
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