After releasing 26-year-old wing Ethan Thompson, the Orlando Magic currently have two free two-way roster spots. As one slot is being used on 7-foot-0 center Orlando Robinson, at least one other could be used to address their backcourt depth. However, given that their offense is ran through their forwards, there’s another —and particularly interesting —option:
Bol Bol, who averaged career-highs of 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game with the Magic in 2022-23.
It’s Time For The Magic To Sign Bol Bol
It’s almost hard to believe that Bol is a six-year NBA veteran.
Since being drafted 44th overall in 2019, the 7-foot-3 playmaker has played just 212 total games, playoffs included. In that time, he’s played just 2,750 minutes (regular season); there’s only one season that he’s averaged more than 12.5 minutes per game. With that being said, as he’s posted 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per 36 minutes over the course of his career, his issue isn’t really production.
Bol’s Biggest Obstacle
For all of his talent, the 25-year-old been held back by a lack of maturity.
In Bol’s time with the Denver Nuggets, he wasn’t enough of a team player. His lack of playing time also seemed to affect the way he approached practice.
When he was with the Magic and Suns, he began to improve in those areas. Yet, after catching fire in Phoenix, former Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer reportedly benched him for shooting a layup during an in-game altercation (h/t NBA insider Chris Haynes on Haynes Briefs).
To be fair, Budenholzer’s reaction may have been overblown. Bol has never been overly aggressive or expressive, so him refusing to join the foray was in line with his character. However, the two-time Coach of the Year isn’t wrong to think that his behavior was off-putting. A mature reaction would’ve been to communicate with the coaching staff, check on his teammate, and remain engaged rather than acting aloof.
Bol’s Bottom Line
All of that being said, Bol is simply too talented not to be on a roster in some form of fashion.
He hasn’t taken complete advantage of his NBA opportunity and that ultimately falls on him. Nevertheless, a two-way contract could be the right situation for him, for now. Or put more bluntly, it could snap him back to reality.
Bol can’t get by on his riveting potential and his father’s Hall of Fame pedigree forever. At this point, he has to prove he deserves a standard contract, not just regular minutes. Perhaps that makes him train harder, play harder and be more of a team player. If not, he’ll have to settle for the NBA’s B League, if not international opportunities.
Bol’s Big Break?
A two-way opportunity could keep Bol engaged precisely because he’d have a better chance of playing regularly. It isn’t out of the realm of imagination that he’d be the top player on their G League affiliate. Thus, he’d be a high usage player getting a healthy amount of playing time. Hopefully, that would allow him to be more upbeat throughout the season and engaged when called up.
It would be particularly beneficial in the event of an injury to Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner, as Bol would already be in rhythm.
By the end of the season, he very well could sign a standard contract. The difference would be that he earned it with not just his potential but prudence. It’ll be that he earned the confidence of the organization, making them more invested in his development.
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