It is no secret that Orlando Magic’s front office has an affinity for length.
Magic general manager John Hammond drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thon Maker, both of whom have a 7-foot-3 wingspan, during his tenure as an executive with the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, in Orlando, he has continued to prioritize length by targeting players like Mo Bamba and Jonathan Isaac.
So it was not a surprise when the Magic traded for Bol Bol, a 7-foot-2 former McDonald’s All-American who has a 7-foot-8 wingspan. Bol would make for a fascinating fit alongside Bamba, who has a 7-foot-10 wingspan.
Unfortunately, however, Bol recently had foot surgery and is out indefinitely. It is unclear if he will make a return to the court this season. But what about next year?
Bol is a restricted free agent this offseason and based on the fact he was already traded multiple times in 2021-22, he might not have a tremendous amount of value around the league. Orlando has a decision to make about his contract, though he seems to fit the bill for what the team often seeks in their roster construction.
Bamba is also headed towards restricted free agency once the season ends, so like with Bol, his long-term status with the Magic is not yet determined. But if the fans have their way, they will get to see at least one lineup featuring the two incredibly lengthy players.
Shortly after the trade was reported, it didn’t take long for NBA Twitter to fantasize about what that two-man pairing would look like in real life and not just a video game.