Our exit interview series on the 2023 Clippers continues with a look at mid-season acquisition Bones Hyland.
Basic Information
Height: 6’3
Weight: 173 pounds
Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Age: 22
Years in NBA: 2
Key Regular Season Stats: 10.8 points, 3.4 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.1 blocks, 1.1 turnovers in 18.9 minutes per game across 14 games (zero starts) on 40.1/35.1/75 (5.3 3PA/1.4 FTA) shooting splits
Postseason Stats: 8.6 points, 0.8 assists, 0.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks, 0.8 turnovers in 16.4 minutes per game across five games (zero starts) on 34.1/25/80 (4.0 3PA/2.0 FTA) shooting splits.
Expectations
At the trade deadline, the acquisitions of Eric Gordon and Mason Plumlee were considered to be more impact-now type moves than trading for Bones Hyland. But Hyland has some of the most upside out of anyone on the Clippers roster. He showed some of that potential during his rookie season with the Denver Nuggets, making an impact right away and putting up double-digits in scoring. He also made an impact in the playoffs for the Nuggets.
His second season didn’t quite go as planned. He found himself getting sporadic playing time and social media lit up with talk of him potentially being not all that thrilled with the way he was being used in Denver. By the time the deadline rolled around, it was evident that a change of scenery was needed.
Reality
Clipper nation was actually thrilled for the most part when Hyland joined the team. During his brief time in Denver, he showed the ability to bring a lot of what the Clippers lacked. More specifically, ball-handling, playmaking, and the ability to get downhill and attack.
His playing time fluctuated with the Clippers as it did in Denver, but Hyland was adamant that he was fine with that because he had a much better understanding from the coaching staff as to what his role would be. Each time he got minutes though, he seemed to produce.
He was often a sparkplug for the second unit providing much needed playmaking and scoring. Although he had primarily been used as an off-guard, he showed that he can be a facilitator if needed. He also was able to create his own shot. And although the playoff percentages might not show it, he was a very capable three-point shooter.
In fact, by the time the postseason rolled around, Hyland had cemented himself in the rotation as an immediate impact player off the bench. After a string of games in March where he racked up DNPs, to his credit he stayed ready and he showed why many Clipper fans were excited about acquiring him. The only downside was that he sometimes had a tendency to try and do a little too much, but he’s a young player and that can be harnessed.
Future with Clippers
Hyland is under contract for at least one more year before he has a team option on his contract heading into the 2024-25 season. He is still on his rookie deal and as such, the Clippers have him on a steal, essentially paying him pennies compared to his value/production.
For now, he should be groomed as the backup point guard. His skill-set and production are necessary and he should continue to be a mainstay in the rotation.
