The Detroit Pistons are finalizing a deal to acquire l Denver Nuggets’ F Bol Bol for Rodney McGruder and a future second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 9, 2022
The Denver Nuggets are moving on from center Bol Bol, sending the former Oregon Duck to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Rodney McGruder and a future second round pick – according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Bol was initially drafted by the Miami Heat with the 44th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, and was traded to Denver one day later for cash and a future second round pick.
He signed a two-way deal with Denver and appeared in seven games as a 20-year-old rookie, playing 12.4 minutes per night and scoring 5.7 points with 2.7 rebounds and an eye-popping 44.4% mark from three.
However, the Nuggets had little use for Bol after that. He played in 32 games in 2020-2021 and appeared in just 14 games this season.
Across those final 46 games on the Nuggets, Bol played just 5.2 minutes per game, and it is not a surprise to see Denver move him somewhere where he can actually get on the floor.
Detroit is rocking with former Washington star Isaiah Stewart at center, with Saddiq Bey playing the four. Veteran Kelly Olynyk remains out with a knee injury, however, and Luka Garza, Trey Lyles, and Micah Potter isn’t exactly a powerhouse group of depth options for the Pistons.
Bol’s length, athleticism, and outside shooting have long made him an intriguing NBA prospect, and a rebuilding team like Detroit is a perfect place for him to gain valuable reps.
Alongside Cade Cunningham, Bol could blossom into a very solid NBA player in time.
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