Bol Bol signed a summertime contract with the Phoenix Suns. In 2022–2023 he had played well for the Orlando Magic, averaging 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. But Orlando’s fresh potential made the front management decide not to hang on to the adaptable big man.
He hasn’t been in the Suns’ starting lineup this season, but he has been in eight of the team’s previous ten games.
Against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Bol Bol produced a strong showing. He with 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and two blocks while shooting 55.6% from the field. That performance came on the heels of a 25-point, 14-rebound night against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 23. It’s no surprise, then, that star forward Kevin Durant sang Bol Bol’s praises during a postgame news conference.
Bol Bol, who stands 7 feet 3 inches tall, possesses the stature and adaptable skill set of some of the world’s most gifted young centers. Stretching the floor (36.8% three-point shooting this season), he can rebound and dish out assists. And with each month that goes by, he gets better as an interior scorer. Still, he has struggled to get minutes. That was always going to be the risk associated with playing for a rival squad.
Bol anticipated fighting for several minutes. But following two consecutive strong outings and a fantastic endorsement from Durant, he might receive some more chances in the upcoming days and weeks. He gives the Suns rotation size and versatility, which has been lacking from their squad this year.
Bol isn’t expected to start as a big man for a team that wins a title. Being a dependable backup for Jusuf Nurkic isn’t insurmountable, though. Between now until the end of the postseason, he might develop into a standout player if he can maintain his success in Phoenix’s star-studded rotation.
