Bones Hyland's chapter with the Nuggets closes

Just like that, the Bones Hyland era is over in Denver. The Nuggets are trading Hyland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for two second-round picks. It’s Denver’s second move of the day after acquiring Thomas Bryant.

You didn’t get the sense that Hyland had much value in the trade market, and getting two second-round picks for a former first-round pick who’s still on a rookie contract and just made back-to-back Rising Stars Games confirms that. Hyland had been out of the Nuggets’ rotation for the last week and the writing has been on the wall that he had likely played his last game in Denver. This season he was averaging 12.1 points (39.9 FG%, 37.8 3P%) and 3 assists per game.

The Nuggets decided that they couldn’t risk keeping Hyland on the roster past the deadline and his situation becoming a distraction heading into the playoffs. Michael Malone had clearly lost trust in Hyland on the court. Calvin Booth clearly didn’t view him as a core piece going forward. the Nuggets decided to cut their losses now.

Denver now has one open roster spot.