New Orleans Pelicans v Phoenix Suns — Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images

DO YOU STILL BELIEVE IN UNICORNS?

Welcome to the 2024-25 Phoenix Suns Season Preview series, where we embark on a comprehensive journey through the roster. In this series, we’ll break down individual player previews, offering a detailed look at each member of the Suns’ lineup. We’ll recap their performance from last season, highlighting key moments and areas of growth, and analyze how their skills, experience, and roles will contribute to the team’s championship aspirations.

Whether it’s the seasoned veterans or the rising stars, each player has a unique role in what could be a defining season for the franchise. Join us as we explore the potential and challenges that lie ahead for the Suns in their pursuit of basketball glory.

Bol Bol

Admittedly, as Suns fans, you couldn’t be blamed if you felt like an opportunity had been missed as the 2023-24 regular season wound down. After all, we all wanted a little more out of our Bol Bol Experience for the Phoenix Suns.

There were some bright moments.

We don’t forget the 25-point, 14-rebound effort in Houston, showing off that sweltering promise of efficiency on 11-17 shooting splits (and going 2-3 from three). And on a night when Nurkic was out, no less.

But it wasn’t just about a single-game surprise. You squint for long enough, and you start to see the long strides of a unicorn-shaped silhouette leak out for a dunk, block a shot from the weak side, cut to the high post for an elbow jumper, or set up in the deep corner for a lighter-than-air three-pointer with its pillowy arc.

NBA: Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns — Note Bol Bol’s soft touch on the jumpshot.

Sure, the per-game season stats are pedestrian–averaging 10 minutes a game across 43 games can have that effect. [Season splits, you ask? 5.2ppg, 32rpg, 0.6bpg, 0.4apg]

But look closer: On the season, Bol Bol shot 62% on field goals and 42% on threes—his best numbers by percentage—and it wasn’t even close. Add his 79% from the free-throw line, and he simply didn’t take bad shots last season.

It becomes evident that the only things holding him back were minutes on the floor and possibly a coaching/game-play style that didn’t feature him more prominently.

So, how should we look at Bol Bol heading into the new season?

Let’s take care of the academic stuff first:

Height: 7’3”

Weight: 220lbs

Seasons Played: 5

Beginning his 6th season (age-25 season) and second with the Phoenix Suns, Bol Bol is locked in on a guaranteed contract again. It’s a one-year contract for $2,165,000 [Minimum], and regardless of what you might think about Bol Bol presently, this contract is an underpay for a player with that unicorn-ish potential to be still realized.

It’s the low-risk/high-reward element that still makes many fans feel hopeful. And rightly so.

Where are Bol Bol’s Strengths and Weaknesses?

There are no real surprises here. Bol Bol’s height and wingspan are incredible. He is listed as 7’3” with a 7’8” wingspan—the inspiration behind your 12-year-old nephew’s NBA 2K MyPlayer build—combine this with a sweet shooting stroke, some ball-handling and quickness added in for good measure, and there are a lot of things to like.

What about weaknesses, I hear you ask?

Sure, mention the obvious—his weight and slim build. However, for me, it comes down to a single element: how do you play the guy? His tendencies, play style, and mindset scream guard. Even his teammates call him a guard.

I feel that Bol Bol’s greatest weakness isn’t his alone to overcome. It’s coaches knowing how to best put him in positions and lineups on the floor. It’s about Bol putting in the reps during this off-season, so he’s ready for a more prominent role.

Bol Bol is a unicorn wrapped up in a mystery, wrapped up in an enigma. And I’m here for the unwrapping to begin!

One Key Factor

The single most significant factor in a successful Bol Bol season for the Phoenix Suns is putting him in a position on the court that best utilises his skillset within a lineup (or lineups) in which he flourishes.

Does Coach Bud use him as a drop-big, creating a spark-fire version of Brook Lopez?
Can assistant coaches and the development team harness his guard-like approach offensively—in the same way that Grayson Allen benefited from a collapsing defense?
What about all the contemporary pick-and-roll/double-hand-off (DHO) actions employed now—indeed, his involvement there could generate a few new looks on offense. And I’m not just talking about the big, either. Imagine him coming off that screen for an unblockable jumper.

If we successfully answer these questions, we will get the best version of Bol Bol you could want.

Final Prediction on Bol Bol’s 2024/25 Season with the Phoenix Suns

The Suns—as we know—are in win-now mode. With the addition of quality point guards, the 2024-25 roster looks (by my lowly assessment, at least) to be one of the deepest rosters the Suns have ever put together!

I predict Bol Bol will be a cog in the Suns’ machine this year under Coach Bud. Suns fans demand it—nay, we deserve it.

I’m anticipating a career year for Bol Bol, a 65-game season with a handful of meaningful starts thrown in for good measure. Getting down to the nitty-gritty, I want to see 18 minutes per game with 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 1.6 BPG, and some healthy shooting splits (55/39/77), maintaining those efficient percentages with that increased playing time.

Miami Heat v Phoenix Suns — The Unicorn Smiles | Bol Bol looks ahead to big things in his 2nd season with the Phoenix Suns.

It’s about creativity.

It’s about unlocking the skillset.

It’s time to saddle up the Unicorn and ride.

Read other 2024-25 Player Previews right here: