Develop: Bones Hyland
In an attempt to retool their backcourt, the LA Clippers acquired Bones Hyland from the Denver Nuggets at the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline. Hyland wasn’t viewed as the team’s answer at the point guard position but he would at least give the Clippers some added depth and a young guard that they could continue developing over the next few seasons. While he had some truly bright moments in Denver, Hyland’s tenure with the Clippers got off to an uneven start.
In 14 games played, Hyland averaged 11 points on 40 percent shooting from the field. But when the Clippers made the move for Hyland, it was never about the role he could play for the team right away. It was always about trading for his potential down the line. With a full offseason in LA, the hope is that he can continue to make leaps in his progression. There’s an expectation that he’ll play a bigger role this upcoming season, even after the team agreed to re-sign Russell Westbrook.
The Clippers have at least two more seasons (a team option for 2024-25) of Hyland before they even have to begin to think about a new contract. They should be all-in on his development for the next two seasons and then reassess after that.