Clippers newcomer Bones Hyland felt slighted by Nuggets
The Los Angeles Clippers were among the busiest teams at this month’s NBA trade deadline.
One of the Clippers’ most notable moves was acquiring second-year guard Bones Hyland from the Denver Nuggets for a second-round pick. Los Angeles traded for Hyland in hopes of adding more playmaking to their backcourt and bench.
However, the discussion around his role with the Clippers has changed a bit after the team signed former All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook for the remainder of the season.
That all led to Hyland receiving no playing time in Friday’s double-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings in Westbrook’s debut. Before that played out, the young guard voiced that he had tremendous respect for head coach Ty Lue.
“T-Lue, man, I respect him,” Hyland said on Thursday via ESPN. “I understand he has a good plan for me. I know he’s not just going to leave me in a desert, man, just by myself. … The first thing he did [after the Westbrook signing] was call me over and talk to me one-on-one. That’s something I respect about Ty Lue.”
Westbrook’s arrival has clearly shaken up the Clippers’ game plan for implementing Hyland into the rotation. Los Angeles wouldn’t have acquired him if the team and coaching staff didn’t believe he can help push them toward competing for an NBA title.
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Hyland is a talented scorer, but excels most with the ball in his hands. The Clippers will look to find what works best, but that may lead to more limited playing time for the second-year guard.
