The Denver Nuggets traded guard Bones Hyland to the Clippers as part of a four-team deal that also included the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. The Clippers will send two second-round picks to the Lakers as part of the deal. Here’s what you need to know:
- Hyland is averaging 12.1 points 3.0 assists in 19.5 minutes per game this season.
- The 22-year-old was selected by Denver with the No. 26 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
- The Nuggets sit atop the Western Conference at 38-17, while the Clippers are sixth at 31-27.
Scouting report
Hyland was a semi-surprise entrant into the potential trade sweepstakes, as the Nuggets seemed to dangle him on the market due to defensive and role-based concerns. The defensive worries are real. He’s been bad on that end this season, struggling in ball screens and falling asleep a bit too often away from the ball.
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But he’s a consistent bucket who shoots 38 percent from 3 on a big diet of pull-ups. He also improved a bit as a passer this season, although Denver has found a bit more success allowing Bruce Brown to run second units as a distributor. — Vecenie
Why the Clippers made this move
Hyland gives the Clippers a shot of youth for the oldest team in the league pre-deadline. The Clippers consolidated their two veteran point guards in Reggie Jackson and John Wall. Of those two, Hyland is closest to Jackson.
That is: a combo guard with some point guard size and training, but one that is more comfortable as a shoot-first player than a true half-court facilitator. The Clippers worked out Hyland before the 2021 draft, with the Nuggets getting him after the Clippers and Knicks exchanged Keon Johnson and Quentin Grimes on draft day. Hyland also worked out with Clippers starting power forward Marcus Morris Sr. before the draft.
Things flamed out with Hyland in Denver despite an All-Rookie season last year and a Rising Stars selection this year. He’s not the first young player from the Nuggets who needed an early career change of scenery (see: Bol Bol).
Hyland is good enough to play now, but young enough to watch and learn if Clippers sign a veteran guard to finish the season. He is under team control through 2025, replacing Luke Kennard’s long-term youth while doing so on a rookie deal. — Murray
Required reading
(Photo: Kyle Ross / USA Today)
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