The Denver Nuggets have been quite active on deadline day in the NBA. They bolstered their second unit by acquiring Thomas Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davon Reed and three second-round picks. The team wasted very little time recouping some of that draft capital.
Just hours later, the Nuggets completed their second trade of the day. They have traded point guard Bones Hyland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for two second-round picks. The picks heading to Denver are in 2024 and 2025, both via the Clippers according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
This was a trade that was weeks in the making. Hyland found himself on the trade block after he sought a larger role with the team. Some tension built between him and the coaching staff over disagreements on his playing time. As a result, Hyland ended up being a DNP-Coach’s Decision in the last four games leading up to the deadline.
Hyland was seeking a larger role, and it is fair to wonder if he will get that with the Clippers. Los Angeles sought after another playmaker as their point guard position has not produced much this season. The trio of John Wall, Reggie Jackson, and Terance Mann has been arguably the least productive point guard trio in the NBA this season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bones Hyland, Denver Nuggets & LA Clippers Updates
The second-year guard will certainly add some explosiveness and scoring punch to the second unit. How big of a role he will have is anyone’s guess as they are a veteran-laden team with championship aspirations. They also acquired Eric Gordon from the Houston Rockets ahead of the deadline, raising more questions about what Hyland’s role will be.
For the Nuggets, they just sought an end to the rising tension. They were seeking a first-round pick or defensive-minded wing in exchange for him but will settle for two second-round picks instead.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bones Hyland, Denver Nuggets & LA Clippers Updates
Their need for a defensive-minded wing could be filled on the buyout market as Denver now has an open roster spot. Because of the trade exception that the Clippers had to absorb Hyland into, the Nuggets didn’t have to take any players back in the transaction.
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