2025 Suns Player Review: Bol Bol couldn’t escape the bench for the Phoenix Suns

Why Bol Bol couldn’t find his role with the Phoenix Suns this season. Again.

Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series, where we take a closer look at each player who suited up during the 2024–25 campaign. One by one, we’ll break down what went right, what went wrong, and what each player can do to take the next step heading into next season.

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To some, Bol Bol is a myth, a player whose tantalizing potential never quite translated into a consistent NBA starter or even a reliable bench contributor playing meaningful minutes. Throughout his career, and especially judging by the 2024–25 season, visible improvements were scarce.

As with the rest of the 2024–25 player reviews, the question arises: How much of Bol Bol’s limited playing time was a reflection of his own performance versus the coaching decisions of head coach Mike Budenholzer?

This past season saw Bol Bol largely relegated to the bench, a victim of both rotational depth and a lack of trust from the coaching staff. Despite flashes of talent in garbage time or during injury stretches, he failed to carve out a defined role. Whether it was inconsistency, defensive lapses, or simply the wrong system fit, Bol once again became more of a conversation piece than a contributor, a player stuck between potential and productivity.

Bol Bol

• Position: Power Forward
• Vitals: 7’3”, 220 pounds, 25 years old
• Experience: 6 Years
• Stats: 36 GP, 6.8 PPG (52.0 FG%, 34.4 3PT%, 76.9 FT%), 2.9 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.6 SPG

Contract Details

Bol Bol is signed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns valued at $2,425,403, officially agreed upon on July 7, 2024. It was a one-year deal and he will be an unrestrcited free agent this upcoming summer.

Regular Season Recap

The highlight of Bol Bol’s season came during an altercation between the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets. While tensions flared, Bol was seen off to the side casually practicing layups. Whether entirely accurate or not, Chris Haynes reported that head coach Mike Budenholzer was unhappy with Bol’s lack of engagement during the incident, a factor that reportedly contributed to Bol’s limited minutes for the remainder of the season.

Bol wasn’t particularly impressive from the start of the season. It was clear that his game had not developed, as evidenced by a decline in his three-point shooting percentage compared to the previous year and ongoing issues with court awareness, especially regarding spacing and help defense.

Ultimately, I believe a slow basketball IQ is what kept Bol on the bench.

I was extremely high on him during the 2023–24 season and entered this past year believing he could take another step forward. Instead, it was obvious early on that no meaningful improvements had been made. Despite his size and skill flashes, Bol struggled to adapt to the pace and demands of an NBA rotation, leaving little justification for consistent minutes.

However, a career-high 25-point performance, which included five made three-pointers, stood out as a bright spot in Bol’s otherwise disappointing season.

There’s still something there, a glimpse of untapped potential that continues to make you wonder if, under the right circumstances, Bol could eventually put it all together.

Biggest Strength

One of Bol’s natural advantages is his length, allowing him to shoot over defenders with ease, a skill that NBA legend Kevin Durant has mastered and something Bol has clearly tried to incorporate into his own game.

However, what Bol still lacks is the quick reaction needed to attack off the dribble, make decisive cuts, or recognize opportunities on pick-and-rolls and backdoor plays. While he can rise up and shoot over defenders—even on a closeout where the contest reaches only as high as his elbows—his inability to react quickly often limits the impact of that advantage.

Still, this aspect of his game gives him something to build on. If Bol can continue to refine his timing, decision-making, and off-ball movement, there’s a path for him to become more than just a curiosity. He could carve out a meaningful role as a floor-spacing big with a unique scoring touch.

Biggest Weakness

The drive to get better and improve is what Bol still seems to be searching for. Physically, he struggles to hold his ground defensively due to a lack of strength, often getting pushed around when battling in the paint. Yet, it’s the continued chances he’s received in the NBA—and the fact that he still leaves so much untapped potential on the table—that remains the biggest frustration.

Likelihood of Return: 4

Bol’s future with the Suns likely depends on the vision of the next head coach and whether they see a path for him to contribute consistently. It’s easy to imagine him either staying in Phoenix on another one-year deal or moving on to another team in search of a similar opportunity. At this point, short-term contracts appear to be the ceiling for Bol as he tries to maintain his place in the league.

For Bol to stick around in the NBA, he’ll need to show more than just flashes. Consistency, effort, and adaptability will be key. Whether it’s reshaping his defensive instincts, finding a true offensive role, or simply proving he can be a reliable rotation piece, the window isn’t closed, but it’s narrowing fast.

Overall Grade: D

I would give Bol a P for poop but that is not part of the grading system.

This is truly how I felt seeing Bol return this season: a letdown.

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