On Sunday, the Phoenix Suns signed free agent PF/C Bol Bol to a one year vet minimum deal.
The 23-year-old Bol is entering his fifth season in the NBA after he began his career with the Denver Nuggets with limited minutes. Last season with the Orlando Magic, Bol exposed his potential. The son of C Manute Bol, one of the tallest NBA players in history, had a breakout year.
In his first three years with the Nuggets, Bol didn't have the opportunity to see the floor, only playing in 53 games with a Nuggets team consistently fighting for playoff positioning and running the likes of Nikola Jokic, Paul Milsap, Jerami Grant in the Mile High City lineup.
During the 2021-22 season, Bol was traded to the Boston Celtics for less than a month before being sent to Orlando where the Magic were practically running the NBA’s youth experimental team, letting young players get the minutes they needed to develop.
Later in March that year, after a voided trade to the Detroit Pistons, Bol elected to have season ending surgery on his right foot, the same foot that was operated on while at his lone season at University of Oregon.
Finally healthy for the 2022-23 season and playing with more minutes, Bol averaged 9.1 points, 0.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game in 21 minutes per game. Bol played in 53 games, making 33 starts for the Magic. Bol’s 7’2” height is paired with the fifth longest wingspan currently in the league at 7’8”. The rising role player is an interesting player to add to a seemingly deep Phoenix Suns bench.
A younger role player, Bol profiles as a power forward due to his handle and shooting ability. Last season Bol shot 54% from the field, oftentimes shooting with wing-like rhythm and confidence. Bol’s handle is elite for his size and his athleticism is intriguing from an offensive standpoint as well.
Bol’s rim running potential, combined with his lanky frame may give the Suns another above the rim pass potential to pair alongside C Deandre Ayton or PF Keita Bates-Diop and slide Bol to the center position.
His tenacity on the defensive end is dependent on his involvement on the offensive side. But his natural wingspan and frame will undoubtedly block shots, especially from smaller guards who get the switch off screen and isolation plays.
That common theme among big men has plagued Ayton as well, but new adjustments to scheme and mentality from head coach Frank Vogel may fix this. Earlier this week, Vogel addressed the involvement issue with big men, specifically Ayton.
“You got to give those big guys the ball sometimes,” said Vogel. “When they get it, they’ll run through the wall for you on the other end.”
With the Suns ultra-talented roster, the ball won’t be in Bol’s hands for an extended amount of time frankly, but what Bol can offer is his length. Bol’s usage may come in the lob department, with passes flying well above the rim from driving plays from G Devin Booker. Inbound passes, lobs toward the paint and rebounds should all be going in Bol’s direction.
It would be doubtful to see the exciting two-dribble from mid court fast breaks that dazzled Magic fans last year, Bol will be giving the ball up after rebounds on the Suns.
While Bol’s role may be small in the grand scheme of things, his unique size, length and wingspan makes the free agent signing an interesting one for the Suns.
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