Report: Phoenix Suns emerge as frontrunners to sign free agent power forward Bol Bol

One of the NBA’s most talented teams has emerged as a frontrunner to land the services of uber-athletic power forward Bol Bol, according to senior NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic. On Saturday afternoon, the Phoenix Suns emerged as the favorite to land the gifted power forward, who has dazzled in the past with his highlight-reel worthy plays. Rival teams are expecting Bol to sign in the near future with the Suns, who have made some moves this offseason in the hopes of contending for an NBA Championship.

Last season with the Orlando Magic, Bol Bol stuffed the stat sheet with 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He also averaged 1.2 blocks per game. It’s taken a few years for the long and lean power forward to hit his stride, but flashes of his impressive athletic ability have always been there. He might just be starting to turn the corner in his development. He’s a native of Sudan and he’s the son of one of the greatest shot blockers in NBA history in Manute Bol–who blocked 2,086 shots in his career (3.3 blocks per game).

More about Bol Bol’s basketball career

Bol was one of the top players in the country coming out of high school, ranking No. 4 overall in the 2018 class according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. The gifted center was also named a McDonald’s All-American in high school. He was unable to play in the game due to an injury.

He committed to play for Oregon, but ultimately appeared in only nines game after a stress fracture in his foot ended his season. He averaged 21.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in college before entering the 2019 NBA Draft. There, he was selected in the second round by the Miami Heat with the No. 44 overall pick. They traded his rights to the Denver Nuggets.

Orlando is coming off of a 34-48 record this past season and had the No. 6 and No. 11 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. The Magic used those picks to take a pair of guard in Arkansas star Anthony Black and Michigan standout Jett Howard.

Center Mo Wagner recently re-signed with the Magic on a two-year deal worth $16 million. Orlando also brings back center Wendell Carter, who averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this past season. With those two players already, the team decided there wasn’t enough room to keep Bol on their roster.

On3’s Chandler Vessels also contributed to this article.