The Magic have waived forward/center Bol Bol, the team announced today in a press release (Twitter link).
Bol had been on an expiring contract, with a non-guaranteed $2.2MM salary for 2023/24. That money was originally on track to become guaranteed if the big man remained on the roster through June 30, but he and the team agreed to push back the deadline.
The new guarantee date was Tuesday, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks, so Orlando decided to cut Bol before locking in his $2.2MM for the coming season.
Bol’s unique skill for his slender 7’2″ frame – including an ability to handle the ball – has long intrigued teams and fans, but he was limited to 53 games in Denver during his first three NBA seasons due to injuries. He enjoyed his best NBA season in 2022/23, staying on the floor for 70 games and averaging 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 21.5 minutes per night.
While Bol’s overall numbers were solid, it was a tale of two seasons for the former second-round pick. He put up 11.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.6 BPG with an impressive .584/.361/.740 shooting line in his first 41 appearances. In his final 29 games, he scored double-digit points just three times and had averages of 5.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 0.7 BPG on .447/.098/.806 shooting.
It sounds like the Magic determined after the season that Bol wasn’t part of their plans going forward. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link), Orlando was exploring trading him around the time of the draft. The Suns and Mavericks were two teams mentioned as possible landing spots, though it’s not clear if either would still have interest, Fischer says.
A team would require $2.2MM in cap room or a trade exception that could cover that amount in order to place a waiver claim on Bol. If he’s not claimed, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent on Thursday.
The roster move gets Orlando down to 15 players on standard contracts for 2023/24.
he was really good in certain games.
surprised they didn’t keep him
If BBall goes elsewhere, would be a decent pick up for a backup C to Joel.
I was going to say something similar
I liked him in College and was hoping the Sixers would have either drafted him or signed him as a UFA
He’s not a center. Magic were playing him at the 3 or 4. He’s too skinny/light to play C
I think the Suns are going to pick him up, can’t see why not
Cue to Warriors fans seeking any big…..
PRAYING for Bol Bol! His pops played on GSW too!
Rumors are the Warriors are thinking of picking him up just waiting for him to get through waivers.
Bol Bol + Christian Wood would be a dream offseason tbh all things considered
Warriors was working out a European center this week. So it looks like they want tall backups with the 2 remaining spots. I am betting on Santos taking one of the 2 way spots.
Not yet on Santos and NO WAY on Christian Wood. Dario Saric and Bol would be fantastic. Or perhaps another guy like this who could be released and has promise. But as I said before I think Dario made 9 million last year.. he’ll probably find way more money than a minimum from the warriors. Fingers crossed.
Gary, are you just reactionary-arguing literally any point I make? It feels like I can put forward a well thought out argument forward and you will immediately shout it down with no reason given? What gives?
Be real: If anyone else said “Wood on GSW seems like a great fit” you wouldnt be so passionately against it. You are personally attacking me at all times and it makes no sense being we are both Warriors fans. I only want GSW to win the title every year they have Curry – why does that anger you so much? You are reactionary-ing yourself into hating the Warriors winning just because you don’t like my takes. Why?
I don’t put a lot of thought into WHO makes the initial assessment or trade idea. I often add the name when I’m finished writing lol.
Christian Wood didn’t even start for the Mavericks to begin the year, Javale McGee was given the job until he couldn’t handle it. I said Christian Wood would start after 15 games and that’s exactly what happened. But for some reason even at 16 points a game and seven rebounds the Mavericks are dumping Christian Wood? Why? There has to be a reason.
It’s because he is a selfish points hoarder only out for himself and stats. He doesn’t give a rip on defense or boxing out or team help defense. It may look like he’s trying but he puts no thought into it as to where he should be, when to switch, when to help, or when to stay with his own man etc. There is no way a team with championship aspirations would pick up Christian Wood either as a starter or even a bench center. Let alone playing for the minimum that the Warriors could offer.
That’s why there’s NO WAY Christian Wood would ever be a golden state warrior. Draymond Green would have fits. So it’s not you it’s Christian Wood. Plus in my same post I told Arc2 that Santos is not coming this year. So I squashed you both. You’re not special sorry to say. But yes go warriors !!
Santos is coming. I can bet you he makes it as their 2 way player this year. Why not he has a good shot just need to learn rotations and defense schemes.
I just think the Warriors are now set at the wing and guard spots and that Santos needs another year of experience in Europe. He’ll be ready to contribute next year and not quite ready this season to come.
I guess the only question that I’m not sure the answer to Is would it be better to play in Santa Cruz or overseas this coming season?
Steph….dont you think Biyombo would be a great pick up? I remember him kicking our butts
Every team Wood has left has been glad to see him go. His prickly personality and poor attitude seem to upset teammates.
Duuuuuude cavs need to scoop him up! He’d plug right in as our starting sf and we would LOCK teams down.
@Arc 2 I think Santos and Quinones get the 2-way spots now GSW has stated the 2 remaining roster spots of 14 will go to bigs.
There are (3) 2-way spots this year and none of that salary touches the cap or tax, so it’s a good way to experiment and give an undrafted big a shot.
@Steph I agree its Santos and Quinones for 2 of the 2 way contracts. There may be a undrafted center coming. Warriors are looking into all options.
Think it is impossible as no cap space or trade exception to offer
He won’t have trouble finding another team.
Surprised they didn’t try trade him.
San Antonio would be cool with Vic, and you know spending time with Duncan and that staff would really help his development.
Brooklyn as a size and depth piece. Imagine if he got it going there with that young core on the come up.
Lastly as a Sixers fan I would mind having him as a depth and developmental player. Again if he ever out it all together he’d be awesome with Embiid and Maxey
Come to the Kings
Another 2k’er legend being disrespected. I’m guessing the ORL FO doesn’t read comments on this site. If they did, then they’d know that the guy’s trade value is north of 2 FRPs.
I’d take him as backup in Philly ♂️
To be clear I want Paul Reed too but as a 4
Magic sure didn’t try hard to move him. Maybe the market froze with Dame and harden asking out.
The nets and jazz have cap. Mavs are focused on Williams and or thybull
Wonder if he qualifies for a two way under new rules. If so, lots of teams would do that.
I’d be is smart, there is money to be made by waiting. Blockbuster trades incoming and some team will need him.
The new rule allows a player with four years of experience to sign a two-way only if he missed a FULL season during any of his first four years in the league.
Bol always appeared in at least seven games, so he won’t qualify.
That is sad Bol Bol I have potential to a good player, but it between him and JI for the last spot in the team. I don’t know if Orlando can sign him in a two way deal but it will be nice if they can.
Warriors should pick him up. He’s perfect there. A center who thinks he’s a guard. ….
Seriously lols …….
He needs 30-40 LBs of muscle. When will 7’rs realize their height is a strength. Their agility and athleticism as a seven footer. Is a strength ………. that begins on DEFENSE. Every team needs a rim protector. A big agility and smarts. Is perfect for that. That’s how you crack a roster. The offense can come later. Defense and rebounding will get you paid. Look up Mitch Robinson ……
I don’t get how teams do t teach this first to any true center ……. Magic suck at developing talent …….
The Bulls could definitely use his size coming off the bench…
Carter
LaVine
Craig
DDR
Vucevic
White
Caruso
P.Williams
Bol
Drummond
Indeed. He would be a great pickup, using him in specialty situations at 4.
The kings would be the best spot. I’m surprised Orlando didn’t keep him.
I am surprised and furious too, Orlando should have waive Chuma Okeke instead Bol.
They kept Goga Bitadze instead. I would of let him go
Chuma and Goga (sounds like an attorney firm) are much better than Bol Bol. That’s why they are still on the team over him. Bol Bol is a sideshow that if he weren’t 7’2 wouldn’t even be in the league. He likely won’t be for long. He’s a major injury risk. Players with his build and height don’t last long, sadly.
I could see teams putting in waiver claims for him. The Nets may be able to use either cap space or a TPE.
So far, teams/coaches still can’t seem to figure out how to use the freakish Bol …… get him to the SPURS or the THUNDER.
Thunder don’t have room, but Bulls don’t really have a backup PF he could get PT there
Then OKC should make room …….. who are they to deny the world, the sight of a Bol-Holmgren-Poku frontcourt.
Embiid or Lopez would outweigh all three combined.
Kyle Lowry says hello.
That’s terrible news on a holiday, I’d have wanted waived before or after it was over
Huh? He knew this was coming they just extended it 5 days while seeking a trade. Couldn’t find one so now he gets to find his own new team on his own. No problem holiday or not. This is not sudden news or a surprise to anyone involved.
Hey Gary, I feel you need to apologize to Asfan for hurting his feelers. Seriously though, I haven’t seen Wood enough to say yay or nay on getting him, so I wondered why you are down on him. Second question, how does the waiver process work. Is it like baseball–reverse order determines dibs? And how long is the claiming period. Later
I’d apologize but he is way too loose with his tongue and calling people names that I don’t think he deserves it. I’m insane, Kerr is an idiot and other things, other posters are hit with unnecessary rude comments, just for giving a trade idea or a basketball thought.
Plus I don’t single him out, I single out posts and forget about who wrote. I may challenge a take and then give a thumbs up later down in the thread to the same poster !!
We all have good ideas and we all have bad ideas. That’s how the cookie crumbles. Just like you here suggesting I apologize. That’s a great idea and often very necessary and I take it to heart. In this case he’s just way too rude to others that I won’t apologize.
I’ll give the truth which is there’s no way Christian Wood signs with the Warriors as I detail in my response above. You’re a good one Claude I appreciate your heart. Thank you.
Gary, I wasn’t serious about apologizing. He’s not a good person and I let him “have it” every chance I get. Sorry you explained yourself, I didn’t expect that. You are very patient with everyone on here. And he deserves no breaks. So again please don’t apologize, as I was kidding. I just couldn’t believe how much he got butthurt cuz you didn’t agree re Wood. I dont know the league that well, just the warriors. And I don’t know Bol that well and you like him–works for me. Anyway, thx for the kind words.
Gary, you’re one of the best and most level-headed posters here. StephRings/AsFaninUK/MartyMcRae is not. No need to apologize to him, he should be apologizing to all of us, haha.
rct, you’ve always been very kind with your words. Appreciate it very much. So many good people on this site.
@claude – I have to stick up for @Gary here. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelers.
Why Not Chuma Okeke, I think Bol Bol have more potential than Chuma. I don’t know the reason why Orlando is keeping Chuma Okeke when they know that he has no chance to play in this team. Is Chuma a 3 or a 4? Bol Bol can play both positions better than him and it would be way cheaper than keep Okeke in the team.
B/c Okeke is actually a versatile defender at the 4/3 and has value. Bol Bol definitely improved, and he might now be an NBA player, but he isnt better than Okeke. If he was what people wish he was than ya, but not what he actually is
Like Christian Wood, Bol has immense talent but teams keep dumping him. He needs a strong coach and culture to go to
Thought they could use him as salary matching for Simons, or Herro in a Lillard scenario. Honestly, I would have, and probably did suggest this last year, and previously to that, but admittedly this dude got a lot better, and has a chance to be an NBA player now, on the right roster, although he still needs to continue to improve obviously.
He’s gonna end up a Piston.
His talent is undeniable, but there’s either a sense of entitlement, a lack of desire or just an immaturity that’s holding him back.
Watched all of his time with Denver – tantalising glimpses of his potential but then loooong stretches of just totally listless play – losing his man defensively, blinkers on offense, no hustle, jogging back on D. A previous comment mentioned he needs a ‘strong culture’ but Denver have that, he just couldn’t/wouldn’t buy in.
Whatever the reason I hope he gets it together because he’s so fun to watch when he’s engaged.
Hey Leon, sign him to back up Randle! He’d be a hit in the Garden.
Duuuuuude cavs need to scoop him up! He’d plug right in as our starting sf and we would LOCK teams down.
Work ethic and conditioning have always been the knocks on Bol. I think the best place for him would actually be San Antonio. There are minutes to be had with the Spurs, Pop would either kick Bol into gear or move him out quickly. Finally, how crazy would it be to put out a twin towers front court of Wemby and Bol?! Two seven foot plus guys who both have the skills of both smaller guys and big men. I need to see that.
He must have done something and they’re keeping it under wraps.
His numbers went down because his minutes went way down. Unique player, could get a triple double with blocks,Boards and assists and would have 2 dunks lol.
Ujiri go get this guy, perfect fit with Raps
I’d love for him to go to the Raptors… Great fit on and off the court…
Come back to Miami! There’s the culture needed
With the Magic in need of hope Bol Bol seemed destined to be kept…
Some other team might be able to find the diamond in the rough now…
Bulls..him and bamba. Bulls need bigs,not another guards
Id like to see him go to the Mavs and see how he plays with a superstar that would get him wide open shots and dunks.. He could also help the Mavs on defense… Also wouldn’t mind him going to the Spurs and developing with Wemby.
Kings, Hornets or Hawks
I hope Kia Sotto becomes in the new Bol Bol in Orlando.
Bol should come back to Oregon and play for the Blazers, since they already let Watford and Eubanks walk. They need some young bigs and could allow him 15-20 minutes a game to develop.