The Phoenix Suns have been battered with injuries to start of the year. This led to a losing streak that the fans were not fond of. While losing the last couple of games due to injuries, they experimented with some new lineups. By doing that, one player has been left out significantly. He has become the forgotten player which is confusing Suns fans, including myself. That player is Bol Bol, who was brought back on a one-year deal this offseason. Bol was said to be valued in Phoenix; many thought the Suns would ultimately unlock him this year.
Unfortunately for Bol and Suns fans, it’s the same story as last year. Coach Mike Budenholzer has yet to give him developmental time to grow. The fans are outraged and want to see the Bol experiment get to work. Why are the Suns not pursuing that? Let’s explore Bol’s role this year and see what he’s brought to this team.
Bol Bol: The Suns Forgotten Player on the Roster
Bol Bol’s Role
Unfortunately, the Suns have been bitten by the injury bug once again this season. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, two of the team’s stars, have dealt with calf injuries over the last weeks. Even big man Jusuf Nurkic had multiple injuries at the start of the season. He had a finger injury at the beginning of the year and is now dealing with an ankle injury. This has limited the Suns’ frontcourt options to only three guys. Oso Ighodaro and Mason Plumlee have seen enhanced roles with these injuries, yet Bol Bol has only suited up in four games this year for the Suns.
In just five minutes per game, Bol averages 3.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists on the season. The most action Bol has seen in a game has been six minutes. He has done that twice this year, and only in one of those performances did he even get a field goal attempt.
In his first contest, though, Bol eclipsed the milestone of his 1,000 total points in the NBA. How he gets that milestone but no playtime beats me. This is unacceptable for a 25-year-old big who could have a role if shown minutes. As a Bol Bol believer, he deserves the opportunity to shine, and the Suns are not giving him that.
1K!
Congrats, Bol, on 1,000 career points
pic.twitter.com/ADvHxxvQ6H
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 14, 2024
I have one question for James Jones, Mat Ishbia, and Mike Budenholzer: What was the point of resigning Bol if he is not going to play? I am not the only one in the Suns’ community asking this question. Bol was brought back on a one-year, $2-million-dollar deal. Even though that is cheap, it’s still questionable not to play him at all. That roster spot could have been used for another hole on this roster (yes, we have them clearly).
What this Means for Bol Bol
Ultimately, this may sting Bol and hinder his chances of finding a role in Phoenix. Durant and Beal plan to return tomorrow versus the Lakers, which takes out two spots in this rotation. The writing may be on the wall with Bol already at the end of it, coming in behind two-way players in games. Will the Suns trade him and find another role they lack, or will Bol Bol be shafted on this bench for the season? Only time will tell.
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