Possible Los Angeles Big Man Target Signs With West Rival Instead

As the days tick by, more free agent big man prospects are getting snatched up, even though Los Angeles Lakers team president Rob Pelinka has acknowledged that the club is still in pursuit of an additional reserve center to add to its roster.

This week, former New Orleans Pelicans center Willy Hernangómez inked a deal with EuroLeage franchise FC Barcelona. On Sunday, a new center linked up with another Western Conference playoff hopeful. 

Power forward/center Bol Bol has inked a one-year, fully-guaranteed veteran's minimum deal with the Phoenix Suns, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The 7'2" 23-year-old big man, son of longtime NBA role player Manute Bol, was cut by the Orlando Magic earlier this summer. 

Across 70 games with Orlando in 2022-23, Bol finally emerged as a truly intriguing, if still raw, prospect. The 23-year-old's playmaking upside and foot speed as a big man make him especially fascinating. He averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per contest with the lottery-bound Magic, across 21.5 minutes a contest.

Now, he'll be joining a top-heavy Phoenix Suns team, loaded with four pricey stars in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Deandre Ayton. Phoenix has done a solid job in building out its roster with minimum signings. Beyond Bol, the team has also added Drew Eubanks, Chimezie Metu, Keita Bates-Diop and Yuta Watanabe via free agency. Phoenix also acquired point guard Jordan Goodwin as part of its trade package for Beal.

Although LA missed out on Bol and Hernangómez, there are still a handful of interesting options available, headlined by Christian Wood (who may cost more than a veteran's minimum) and Bismack Biyombo.