One of the more surprising developments during the 2022-23 NBA season involved point guard Bones Hyland. The 2021 first-round pick out of VCU by the Denver Nuggets was not happy about the role in which he was playing with the team.
Hyland believed that he should be receiving more playing time, which was a point of contention between him and the coaching staff. Eventually, he was on the move and landed with the Los Angeles Clippers, who had a major need in the backcourt.
It was a big four-team trade that included the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. To complete the deal, the Clippers traded second-round picks in the 2024 and 2025 NBA Draft to the Lakers, who acquired Davon Reed and Mo Bamba while trading away Patrick Beverley, Thomas Bryant and cash.
As the old saying goes, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and Hyland found that out the hard way. His role and usage were nearly identical with the Clippers as it was with the Nuggets. But, instead of winning the NBA Finals, he was bounced in the first round by the Phoenix Suns in five games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Bones Hyland & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
A major reason that Hyland’s role didn’t change drastically was the presence of Russell Westbrook. On February 22nd, just over two weeks after being waived by the Utah Jazz following a trade there, Westbrook signed with the Clippers.
Westbrook took a massive pay cut this offseason to re-sign in Los Angeles, which is bad news for Hyland. Based on comments that Kawhi Leonard made during the team’s media day, it sounds as if Hyland’s role isn’t going to change much this upcoming season either.
This certainly wasn’t what Hyland was expecting when he made his trade request to the Nuggets. He watched his old team win a ring from his coach after his new team was beaten handily in the first round, a disappointing turn of events.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Bones Hyland & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Hyland can certainly bring something to the table to help a veteran-laden Clippers team with his youth. But, he will need to become a more efficient player to have a true lasting impact or hope to push for a starting job at some point.
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