Denver Nuggets: Could Bol Bol someday start alongside Nikola Jokic?

The Denver Nuggets once again made a draft-night splash, acquiring big man Bol Bol, who was projected to be a lottery pick before his injury.

Well, the Denver Nuggets did it again. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly, who often resembles a marquee Las Vegas performer, somehow orchestrated another significant acquisition from the thin, Mile High air.

The Nuggets entered the 2019 draft with no draft pick and zero expectations. By forfeiting a mere future second-rounder and cash, however, they snatched exciting big man Bol Bol, who at one point was a top-10 projection. Did anyone else think the original trade reports contained a typo?

This is the second consecutive year Denver’s brass took a low-risk, high-reward flier, creating what could become a trademark of their front office. This move came just 12 months after the shocking, but highly-favored Michael Porter Jr. gamble.

Denver clearly determined the road was worth revisiting, and much optimism surrounds Porter these days.

Once again, the NBA world is praising Connelly for another brilliant move. Per Complex, TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal said he’d even take Bol over top pick Zion Williamson:

"“I’ve seen the potential what this kid can do. For example, when I was his coach in AAU, we never lost. He’s got it all. He’s (7-2), can shoot, dribble, can pass. Nobody really knows it… “"

This is high praise, to put it lightly. But what kind of future does a center hold in Denver?

Current All-Star Nikola Jokic is the unquestioned starter, having averaged 25.1 points, 13.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game last postseason. He is the Nuggets’ superstar for the foreseeable future, even if Bol blossoms.

This leaves two options for Denver; either Bol develops into the league’s best backup center, or the pair is deployed together. The latter may not be as crazy as it sounds.

What does Denver hope for in Jokic’s future frontcourt mate?

First and foremost, a savvy helpside defender would be necessary. This describes Paul Millsap to a tee, but the 34-year-old won’t be around forever.

The Nuggets must realize his scrambling defense has an expiration date, and there’s even a chance he doesn’t return next year ($30 million team option for 2019-20).

Secondly, a knock-down shooter at the four-spot would elevate the offense. The equation worked nicely for the Milwaukee Bucks last year, as sweet-shooting big men Nikola Mirotic and Brook Lopez created swell floor space for MVP-candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Nuggets also need their power forward to score down low, capitalizing on Jokic’s pinpoint passes. Millsap’s magnetic hands and soft shooting touch help him do just that, but better length or athleticism would boost him immensely.

Finally, quick feet on both ends would be helpful, as Jokic isn’t known for grace and athleticism. The Nuggets want someone who can move fluidly, because their superstar already runs with glass in his feet.

How does Bol stack up against these expectations?

Defensively, he is a long, savvy rim-protector, who averaged 2.7 blocks per game last year at the University of Oregon. Bol’s height and timing give him great defensive potential, and he should someday be a better shot-blocker than Millsap.

From a floor-spacing standpoint, Bol proved himself a strong outside shooter, knocking down 52.0 percent from deep in college (1.4 3-point makes per game). He even showed promise off the dribble, which is simply unheard of for a 7’2″ guy.

Bol also demonstrated a feathery shooting touch in the post, hitting an impressive 56.1 percent from the field. His size helps him finish over most defenders, and he’s not afraid of tough angles.

Regarding foot speed, no 7’2″ player moves like a jackrabbit. However, Bol is fluid and versatile overall, and highlight videos reveal surprisingly quick feet. His movements often resemble those of a smaller player.

Is the Jokic-Bol pairing a guaranteed success? Of course not. Many teams are gravitating towards smaller lineups, which may hamper this idea in the playoffs.

Look for the Nuggets to try this pairing as an experiment, however. They may find Bol to be a sweet complement, as he fits many of Denver’s desires for the spot.