4. Bol Bol
The Suns were about to achieve something that no other franchise in the league could last season, and that was turn Bol Bol into an actual rotation player. To do this under the watchful eye of former head coach Frank Vogel - whose demands on the defensive ends are well known - was even more impressive.
Bol is not a good defender - at all - and yet he found some minutes on the back end of the bench unit to act as an elongated player who did his best work on the wings and outside the paint. He's got some handles and he can knock down a 3-pointer, and fans were delighted to see him return on another minimum deal this offseason.
Bol Bol. pic.twitter.com/drw1oCzbvP
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 7, 2024
But the Suns can only be so good if Bol has a meaningful role to play, and deep down everybody knows he's not going to crack an eight man rotation in the playoffs. Which is why - if he can pop like he did in spurts last season - the time could be right to trade Bol.
The franchise wouldn't be getting much back in return - the second apron has seen to that - but it could be that a rebuilding rival sees the long-term vision with Bol, and gives up a player who can help the Suns to win now in the process. No matter what Bol rebuilt his value in The Valley, and that could end up with a trade next season.