5. They uncovered the gem that is Bol Bol
Starting with one of the most obvious bright spots of the season.
The Orlando Magic have done an incredible job in unearthing Bol Bol’s true potential.
He joined the franchise at least year’s trade deadline and was injured when he arrived, so his acquisition from the Boston Celtics flew under the radar. The team opted to re-sign him in the summer, puzzling some as the Magic were taking another risk on a project with a long injury history.
We have already taken a look at the frankly astonishing impact of the big man so far, and he is 50th in the entire league in Player Impact Estimate (14.4), and 51st in Player Efficiency Rating 19.3).
Unsurprisingly, this leads the Magic in both categories (Paolo Banchero actually ranks higher in PIE at 14.8, but has missed the last handful of games).
As our own Philip Rossman-Reich excellently pointed out, the shock factor of the Magic’s jumbo lineups is no longer catching opponents by surprise. But it has still been an effective experiment. Bol Bol is no longer just a stand-in for Jonathan Isaac or something to try out.
Bol is going to be a part of this rotation moving forward.
Starting Bol Bol and Wendell Carter Jr., with Mo Bamba coming off the bench, had been giving the opposition fits. But with that happening less, Bol still looks like he is going to be just as impactful.
hard to guard tbh @BolBol pic.twitter.com/5A4LBIymH6
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 22, 2022
Averaging 13.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game is miles better than anything he achieved while with the Nuggets, and that surprisingly smooth shooting stroke has him averaging 42.4 percent from deep, albeit on only 33 attempts so far.
That has delighted fans, Internet stans and, well, everyone. Bol is an attraction piece for the team.
Looking long-term though, and if the Magic keep Bol, which is quickly becoming a priority, then it allows them to build in different directions.
Carter is the better and more sturdy center, but he has been prone to nagging injuries. He looks set to man the paint for years to come. But we already know both he and Bol can not only coexist but actually start games together.
Getting Bol to Orlando is one of the biggest wins that this front office has had, and it only looks like it is going to get better as his influence on the team grows.