LAS VEGAS - Nothing in the league is guaranteed, especially when you're a second round pick in the NBA Draft.
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Jonah Bolden is finding that out two weeks into his NBA journey. Bolden continues to impresse at the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League starring for the team that made him the 36th pick in the Draft, the Philadelphia Sixers. But no matter how well he plays it just may not be enough.
The Sixers have a young and talented roster which features the likes of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Markelle Fultz and Dario Saric just to name a few. And although the new CBA allows teams to now carry a 17-man roster into the regular season as opposed to a 15-man side, Bolden's search for minutes will be hard to come by behind the already young and talented big man rotation Philadelphia has.
However, the 21-year-old remains confident that he's done enough in his short time with the team to earn a roster spot.
"I think I've done enough," Bolden told NBA Australia. "I'm not satisfied though. I still feel I have more to prove on the offensive side and on the defensive side. Just being able to contain my man on a consistent basis."
On Wednesday (AEDT), Bolden got his first start of the Vegas Summer League finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds and two steals in the Sixers' 88-83 loss to the Boston Celtics. He had one of his better shooting performances from three-point range going three of six.
The team's reason behind starting Bolden at the five against the Celtics was to see if the Sixers could take advantage of some cross matchup opportunities.
His ability to knock down the three with NBA centers defending was something the team wanted to explore. They've also been pleasantly surprised with his activity defensively, something he showed early on in the Utah circuit, and has continued in Vegas.
"For me, I'm taking advantage of the fact that I'm quicker and more athletic than these bigger fours and fives," Bolden said.
"On the flip side on defense my mentality is they're bigger, stronger guys so I've had to get used to that.
"But this has been a great experience, and it's helped me show my versatility."
Bolden's spent the majority of his basketball life playing the small or power forward position, but with the NBA continuing to reward small ball and teams who feature the stretch fours or fives, his versatility will benefit him.
A two-way deal could be something the Sixers explore with Bolden to keep him with the team and allow him to also spend some time in the G-League. He's currently signed to a two-year deal with KK Crvena Zvezda in Serbia, which he can be bought out of for $675,000 USD.
Regardless of what the team decided to do with the young Aussie, he's taking it all in stride and remains confident he will one day be playing at the highest level.
"I'm taking everything away from this experience, its been a blessing. Its been great."
