{"id":151801,"date":"2025-07-24T00:08:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T04:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=151801"},"modified":"2025-07-24T00:10:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T04:10:59","slug":"time-magic-sign-bol-bol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/24\/time-magic-sign-bol-bol\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Time For The Magic To Sign A Familiar Face"},"content":{"rendered":"

After releasing 26-year-old wing Ethan Thompson<\/a>, the Orlando Magic currently have two free two-way roster spots. As one slot is being used on 7-foot-0 center Orlando Robinson<\/a>, at least one other could be used to address their backcourt depth. However, given that their offense is ran through their forwards, there\u2019s another \u2014and particularly interesting \u2014option:<\/p>\n

Bol Bol<\/a>, who averaged career-highs of 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game with the Magic in 2022-23.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Time For The Magic To Sign Bol Bol<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s almost hard to believe that Bol is a six-year NBA veteran.<\/p>\n

Since being drafted 44th overall in 2019, the 7-foot-3 playmaker has played just 212 total games, playoffs included. In that time, he\u2019s played just 2,750 minutes (regular season); there\u2019s only one season that he\u2019s averaged more than 12.5 minutes per game. With that being said, as he\u2019s posted 16.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per 36 minutes over the course of his career, his issue isn\u2019t really production.<\/p>\n

Bol\u2019s Biggest Obstacle<\/h3>\n

For all of his talent, the 25-year-old been held back by a lack of maturity.<\/p>\n

In Bol\u2019s time with the Denver Nuggets, he wasn\u2019t enough of a team player. His lack of playing time also seemed to affect the way he approached practice.<\/p>\n

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Feb 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) shoots against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When he was with the Magic and Suns, he began to improve in those areas. Yet, after catching fire<\/a> in Phoenix, former Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer reportedly benched him<\/a> for shooting a layup during an in-game altercation (h\/t NBA insider Chris Haynes on Haynes Briefs<\/em>).<\/p>\n

To be fair, Budenholzer\u2019s 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\u2019t wrong to think that his behavior was off-putting. A mature reaction would\u2019ve been to communicate with the coaching staff, check on his teammate, and remain engaged rather than acting aloof.<\/p>\n

Bol\u2019s Bottom Line<\/h3>\n

All of that being said, Bol is simply too talented not to be on a roster in some form of fashion.<\/p>\n