The Phoenix Suns announced on Sunday that reserve big man Bol Bol will return for another season on a one-year contract, following a brief but encouraging stint with the team last year.
Due to the Suns’ salary cap constraints and the lack of Bird rights for Bol, which are accrued through extended tenure with a team, they were restricted to offering him only a modest increase. As a result, Phoenix could only provide Bol with a 120% raise over the veteran minimum salary, in line with his five years of NBA experience.
Bol earned $2.2 million last season.
The 24-year-old averaged 5.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 10.6 minutes per game under the now-departed head coach Frank Vogel. He shot 61.6% from the field and made 42.3% of his three-point attempts, showing an ability to contribute effectively in an offense led by stars Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal.
The Suns began the offseason with center Jusuf Nurkic returning and backup center Drew Eubanks choosing to opt out of his contract, creating an opportunity for Bol or others to step in as a backup big man.
Standing at 7-foot-3, Bol entered the NBA after a single injury-plagued season with the Oregon Ducks. Originally considered a potential lottery pick, he was selected 44th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2019 but struggled to make an impact on the competitive team.
Denver’s attempt to trade him to the Detroit Pistons in 2022 fell through due to a failed physical, but he was later traded to the Boston Celtics and then quickly sent to the Orlando Magic. There, Bol had his most productive season, averaging 9.1 points and 5.8 rebounds over 70 games in 2022-23.
He was waived last offseason before signing a one-year deal with the Suns.
Rising Stars: Suns Announce Exciting Summer League Roster
July can often feel like a quiet month for sports, especially basketball. With the NBA Finals and NBA Draft behind us and free agency winding down as teams finalize their rosters (here’s hoping the Phoenix Suns fill that last spot soon!), the spotlight shifts mostly to baseball, with its pitch clocks and quirky Nike jersey fonts.
This July, however, will be different. The Summer League is just around the corner, and by the end of the month, Olympic basketball will take center stage. While the California Classic has already begun for those craving basketball action (though it doesn’t feature the Suns), the main event is the upcoming Summer League.
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The Suns’ Summer League roster has been unveiled, and it’s packed with intriguing prospects.
Get your scouting gear ready and start evaluating talent, as several players on the Summer Suns roster are likely to join the big league team or the G League Valley Suns. Key players include:
– **Ryan Dunn**: The top draft pick, wearing number 0, will showcase his renowned defensive skills and much-anticipated jump shot. As one of the top defensive prospects from the 2024 NBA Draft, Dunn’s performance will be closely watched, especially given his previous scoring challenges outside the paint.
– **Oso Ighodaro**: The second-round pick, listed as a forward, will be evaluated in various roles. Will he play as a center, given the lack of listed centers on the roster, or will he be used as a forward? His versatility will be tested starting Saturday.
– **Boo Buie and Tyrese Samuel**: These Exhibit 10 signees, who joined the Suns after going undrafted, will have the chance to prove themselves. They might end up with the Valley Suns.
– **David Roddy**: Acquired in a trade from the Memphis Grizzlies, Roddy, a 23-year-old forward who played 17 games for the Suns last season, is entering his third NBA season. The Suns will use this Summer League to assess his value and potential fit with the team.
