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This is an easy decision for the Phoenix Suns on Tyler Ulis

By RoseAnn Sapia

HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 30: Tyler Ulis #8 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets in the first half at Toyota Center on March 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 30: Tyler Ulis #8 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets in the first half at Toyota Center on March 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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The Phoenix Suns have until tomorrow to decide if they’ll pick up Tyler Ulis’ $1.54 million option for next season. But did drafting a point guard in the 2018 Draft really seal his fate in Phoenix?

It was just two years ago June 23, that the Phoenix Suns drafted Tyler Ulis. Every Suns fan knows that story. I know, because it’s one I bring up every time I talk about Ulis. It was the start of the second round and Ulis was still undrafted, when then rookie Devin Booker called McDonough about drafting his former teammate.

We all know the Kentucky connection. We all know the friendship. But what sticks with me most about the happenings of that night is that McDonough trusted Devin’s intuition, even though he had only just completed his first year in the league. Both Devin and McDonough believed Ulis should’ve been taken way before 34thoverall, but the story goes that it was Devin’s extra push that made the reunion possible.

At Kentucky, Ulis was one of my favorite players to watch. He was an “undersized” guard, but that didn’t take away from the way he played the game. Tyler was quick, he could score, and he could pass. Once the insanely talented players from the 2014-2015 team that included our own Devin Booker went off to the NBA, the door was left open for Tyler to shine. With more playing time, he was really able to showcase his abilities. I was so excited to see he’d be able to bring that to the Suns.

Fast forward two years, and here we are, Phoenix on the verge of having to decide what they should do with Ulis. I know you can’t totally judge a player by his success in college, but I really do think Tyler is capable of averaging a near double-double with consistent playing time on an NBA team.

That’s why, I think the Suns should pick-up Tyler’s option, and bring him back for the 2018-19 season.

I think people forget that Tyler is still only 22 and that he has played just two years in the NBA. It takes time for players to really find their way, but I think we’ve seen enough to know that he’s in line for yet another improvement in his play next season.

After he was benched for most of February and the beginning of March, I thought we saw a different side of Tyler.

That first game back against the Hornets, Tyler came in hot, and ended with 11 points and 10 assists. He’d have seven more performances that closely resembled that one throughout the remainder of the season. There’s no reason to give up on a player like this, one that could come off the bench and either score or facilitate scoring, especially at only $1.54 million.

If there’s any young player on the Suns that I don’t want the team to give up on, it’s Tyler Ulis. Bringing him back is a low-risk move, especially on the financial side of things. We all know what Tyler could potentially be capable of. We have all seen it at times.

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The general consensus is that the Suns need a “pass first” point guard. Well, the Suns have one in house that would be a steal if he continues to hone his craft and develop. I don’t doubt Ulis’ ability to turn into a double-double machine, even coming off the bench. I haven’t seen enough to want the Suns to let him go, and I’m not too sure that the Suns have either.

We’ll soon know what’s next for Tyler, probably within the next 24 hours. But, I personally believe it wouldn’t be the best decision for the Suns to move on from him.

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