Bol Bol’s 2021-22 season with the Orlando Magic ended earlier than it began.
Time will inform if the identical is claimed about his tenure with the group.
Bol, who the Magic acquired forward of the Feb. 10 commerce deadline, was formally dominated out for the season in mid-March after proper foot surgical procedure on Jan. 18 whereas with the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets traded Bol to the Bostons Celtics, in a three-team deal that included the San Antonio Spurs, sooner or later after surgical procedure. Denver initially tried buying and selling Bol to the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 9, however the transaction was voided 4 days later over a problem with Bol’s bodily.
Bol, a 5-star recruit within the 2018 class, performed 9 video games for Oregon his freshman 12 months earlier than lacking the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his left foot that required surgical procedure. He was anticipated to be a lottery choose within the 2019 draft earlier than the damage, however he was taken forty fourth.
The damage considerations didn’t faze the Magic, who had been within the first full season of their rebuild and proceed to prioritize growing youthful gamers.
Orlando’s brass see Bol’s expertise and potential regardless that he hasn’t had many alternatives to indicate it.
Bol, 7-foot-2 with a 7-8 wingspan, matches the archetype the Magic want: Measurement for the place, lanky with the uncooked expertise that might probably flip into a flexible skillset on each ends of the ground.
“Bol is a really proficient younger participant,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman mentioned to the Orlando Sentinel after Orlando acquired Bol. “He hasn’t been in a position to get himself on the appropriate footing at this early stage of his profession, however we’re hoping he can try this with us.”
That chance didn’t are available in 2021-22, however that doesn’t imply it received’t.
Bol will probably be eligible for restricted free company if the Magic tender the $2.7 million qualifying supply this offseason.
The 22-year-old will be capable of negotiate offers with different groups, however Orlando would have the appropriate to match any supply.
Since Bol was drafted, he hasn’t put something substantial on movie so conclusions are troublesome to attract.
He averaged 2.7 factors (47.8% capturing and 37.8% on 3-pointers) and 1.2 rebounds in 6.2 minutes (328 whole minutes) in 53 regular-season video games (all with the Nuggets), together with 2.4 factors and 1.4 rebounds in 5.8 minutes in 14 video games this previous season.
The Magic, nevertheless, have a superb gauge of the place Bol is bodily.
He was rehabilitating in Orlando and progressed to on-court work earlier than the season ended.
“Bol’s working very laborious,” Weltman mentioned. “He’s working diligently. He’s working day-after-day. He continues to ramp up.
“He’s simply doing particular person work proper now. We’re going to watch out with him as we're with everybody to ensure he doesn’t skip steps in his rehabilitation.”
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Electronic mail Khobi Value at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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