It was nearly a full five years ago when the Denver Nuggets selected guard Bones Hyland with the 26th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of VCU. His rookie season consisted of a double-digit scoring average (10.1) and a spot on the 2021-22 All-Rookie Second Team.
It didn’t take long for Denver to sour on him, though. He was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers midway through his second year (another team that decided to move on from him).
Bones’ first full season with the Minnesota Timberwolves has been a redemption story. Someone who seemed like he may be on the verge of being out of the league is now an integral part of a playoff team’s bench unit.
Now, he will have the chance to show out against the first team that gave up on him.
Hyland has flipped the script on his career since being traded by Denver
Hyland wasn’t expected to have much of a role this season. Re-signed by Minnesota to a minimum deal late in the offseason, Bones exceeded everyone’s expectations by leaping over Rob Dillingham in the rotation early on.
Now, Hyland is firmly in the playoff rotation for their opening round matchup against the Nuggets.
It wasn't all that long ago when Bones was expected to be a longtime scorer off the bench for Denver. But on February 9, 2023, the Nuggets traded Hyland in what was a four-team deal to the Clippers.
At the time, the Nuggets' general manager was Calvin Booth. Speaking to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer a few months after the deal was made, Booth had this to say,
“I knew you couldn’t have two guys that couldn’t guard, and we couldn’t have two guys that were young and kind of more me guys. Mike makes $30 million. He’s one of the best shooters in the NBA. So, Bones, there’s no place for you.”
That raised the eyebrows of more than a few people who read Booth's comments. The Mike he was talking about is Michael Porter Jr., now with the Brooklyn Nets. Booth's damning comments on Hyland were startling, as it is rare to hear an executive be so blunt about what he perceives as a player's flaws.
While Booth is no longer employed by the Nuggets, Bones surely still has to have some extra motivation going against his former team. The 25-year-old performed well in his three appearances against Denver this season, averaging 11 points while shooting 52.4 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc. A productive Hyland could certainly help power a first-round upset over the Nuggets.
Even if he doesn't publicly admit it, Hyland would certainly take pleasure in being part of the reason that Denver is eliminated early if the Timberwolves are able to do so.
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