Magic 'Confusing' for Cutting Bol Bol?

Former Orlando Magic forward Bol Bol saw his playing time decrease as the season progressed.

ORLANDO - Former Orlando Magic center Bol Bol has proven to be one of the more interesting cases around the league. 

The 7-2 220 pound forward is a unicorn, but even at his size and with his potential, he saw his playing time with the Magic dwindle as the 2022-23 season progressed. He was eventually cut by Orlando on July 4, then was signed by the Phoenix Suns on July 16. 

Bleacher Report broke down each team's biggest win and biggest loss, and had the Magic cutting Bol as the latter. 

"This one didn't make much sense for the Magic ... Waiving him now was confusing, especially since even a title-chasing team like the Phoenix Suns were quick to snatch Bol up," Bleacher Report writes.

Bol appeared in 70 games for Orlando, 33 of which he started, averaging 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and one assist per game. 

Bol saw his fair share of playing time to begin the season, playing over 20 minutes in 31 of Orlando's first 37 games. After a stretch where he didn't play in five straight games, he only played over 20 minutes in five games for the rest of the season. There was also a run of games when Bol didn't play in seven consecutive games in the second half of the season, and Orlando went 5-2 in his absence.

Orlando was 8-4 in games Bol didn't play, and 26-44 when he did play. For as "confusing" as cutting Bol may seem, there's no disputing Orlando was better when Bol didn't play or only had limited minutes. 

Maybe Bol's fortunes will change with the Suns, as he'll be playing with two of the best players in the world in Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. But even if he thrives with Phoenix, it isn't hard to see why Orlando moved on from Bol despite the untapped potential he may have. 

---

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.