Bol Bol, a 7-foot-2 center who is the son of former NBA player Manute Bol, has been an intriguing prospect ever since he entered the league for the 2019-20 season.
He signed this summer with the Phoenix Suns, a team most expect to be a frontrunning contender for the world championship, and he can supply them with some much-needed size and defense in the frontcourt.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins went as far as to say that the younger Bol will be a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award, via NBACentral.
Kendrick Perkins says Bol Bol will be a DPOY candidate next season 👀 pic.twitter.com/qjLfwpWvXG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 28, 2023
In four NBA seasons, Bol has averaged 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.8 blocked shots per 14.9 minutes a game.
Last season, as a member of the Orlando Magic, he saw his playing time jump to 21.5 minutes a game while putting up 9.1 points, 5.8 boards, and 1.2 blocks per contest.
Needless to say, he would have to become a full-time starter if he is to have any chance at winning the Defensive Player of the Year award.
That is very unlikely unless he were to move to the center position and beat out veteran center Jusuf Nurkic, who is headed to Phoenix in the three-team Damian Lillard trade, for the starting job.
The Suns, who have a new head coach in Frank Vogel, really need role players who are defensive-minded if they are to realize their dream of winning their first NBA championship.
They may come close to scoring 120 points a game, but if they give up 115 or more a game on the other end, it will likely haunt them come playoff time.
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