Bol Bol has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The NBA big man was waived by the Orlando Magic earlier this month after averaging 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while also holding a team-high 1.2 blocks per game during the 2022-23 season.
Although, rim-protecting skills are in his blood as he is the son of one of the greatest shot blockers in NBA history in Manute Bol–who blocked 2,086 shots in his career (3.3 blocks per game).
The move coincided with a couple of other moves, which saw Phoenix trade guard Cam Payne and a second-round pick to the Spurs for a future second-rounder of their own. The Suns also acquired three future second-round picks from the Magic for a 2026 first-round swap, per Wojnarowski’s sources.
Phoenix continues to add to their new-look roster led by the NBA’s newest big three — Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Bol Bol fits in nicely as a rotational big behind DeAndre Ayton. Since acquiring Beal’s services, the Suns have added six second-round draft choices.
More about Bol Bol’s basketball career
Bol was one of the top players in the country coming out of high school, ranking No. 4 overall in the 2018 class according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. The gifted center was also named a McDonald’s All-American in high school. He was unable to play in the game due to an injury.
He committed to play for Oregon, but ultimately appeared in only nines game after a stress fracture in his foot ended his season. He averaged 21.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in college before entering the 2019 NBA Draft. There, he was selected in the second round by the Miami Heat with the No. 44 overall pick. They traded his rights to the Denver Nuggets.
Orlando is coming off of a 34-48 record this past season and had the No. 6 and No. 11 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. The Magic used those picks to take a pair of guard in Arkansas star Anthony Black and Michigan standout Jett Howard.
Center Mo Wagner recently re-signed with the Magic on a two-year deal worth $16 million. Orlando also brings back center Wendell Carter, who averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this past season. With those two players already, the team decided there wasn’t enough room to keep Bol on their roster.
On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this article.
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