New Orleans Pelicans should have taken low-cost flyer on Bol Bol

The Detroit Pistons traded practically nothing for Bol Bol yesterday, a move the New Orleans Pelicans should have considered.

Detroit traded journeyman guard Rodney McGruder and a second-round pick from the Nets to obtain Bol Bol, which seems like a smart move for a rebuilding team looking to take a chance on a young talent.

I should first say that Bol Bol seems to have a cult following amongst Pelicans’ fans, some of whom think he’d be the perfect long-term fit with Zion Williamson.

Count me as very dubious about Bol, who has been unable to play for the Denver Nuggets, one of the league’s best teams at developing talent.

But considering what it cost for the Pistons to get him, I’m not sure why the Pelicans didn’t pick up the phone.

What did the New Orleans Pelicans have to lose by trading for Bol Bol?

The Pelicans have one of the worst benches in the NBA any way you want to measure it. They don’t play enough minutes, don’t score enough points, don’t defend and most nights contribute nothing to the cause.

Jaxson Hayes has been among the most disappointing, as he still hasn’t figured out how to harness his immense talent and many think his long-term fit might be as a power forward.

I think Hayes will eventually be a decent player down the line and he does have intriguing skill, but the same could be said about Bol Bol, and two chances are better than one.

The Pels could have offered up Naji Marshall, who doesn’t play for them anyway, and a better second-round pick to take a flyer on Bol, who would give them some more forward/center depth and offer some high-upside potential.

I don’t think Bol Bol is the final piece to a title team, nor that he’s a can’t-miss talent by any means, but he is a guy who provides some things the Pelicans need and could have offered some kind of boost to their bench.

I’m not going to lose any sleep over not getting Bol Bol, but it would have injected some life into this team and right now the New Orleans Pelicans don’t have much to lose.