DENVER — The Nuggets traded guard Bones Hyland to the Los Angeles Clippers for two second-round picks, a source told The Denver Post.
The second-round picks are for 2024 and 2025, the source said, and there are no protections on the picks.
The deal ends a tumultuous two weeks for Hyland, who had fallen out of the rotation as the Nuggets canvassed the league for suitors.
The Nuggets were so insistent on trading Hyland that he didn’t play in the four games preceding Thursday’s trade deadline, including on Sunday’s back-to-back in Minnesota, when the Nuggets were down four starters. But as Thursday’s trade deadline inched closer, it became apparent that there was less interest league-wide in Hyland than the team had initially thought.
Hyland didn’t help himself when he walked off the bench in a game against the Thunder two weeks ago, which was the most public evidence of frustration on his end.
While he was benched more recently, he seemed to remain positive and encouraging of his teammates from the sidelines. Numerous teammates, including Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and DeAndre Jordan, spoke highly of both how he carried himself during an awkward time as well as the person Hyland is.
Porter publicly campaigned not to have him traded.
“He’s such a talented player, obviously he should be on the floor,” Porter said. “Everyone knows that. I don’t know what the future’s gonna hold for him, but I wish he was here. I wish he would stay here, and I wish it could be figured out. Obviously, that’s not up to me. That’s up to the front office.”
