Nuggets gauging trade value on Bones Hyland ahead of deadline
The Nuggets are gauging the value for Bones Hyland ahead of next week’s trade deadline, including both canvassing the league and taking calls on the second-year guard, two league sources told The Denver Post.
Ahead of next Thursday’s trade deadline, the Nuggets are seeking players with two-way skills on similar, cost-controlled contracts as Hyland has in addition to pick compensation. The Nuggets believe they have traction on potentially acquiring a first-round pick, sources said.
Hyland has two years left on his rookie deal worth approximately $6.4 million.
Asked at practice on Monday whether he’d had difficult conversations with Nuggets GM Calvin Booth ahead of the deadline, head coach Michael Malone described the nature of their dialogue as productive.
“I don’t even think they’re difficult conversations,” Malone said. “We’re in first place in the West by two games. I think we owe it to ourselves, our fans, the organization. Any time you can improve your team, you have to at least look at it. I am not saying, ‘Calvin, we gotta makes trades.’”
But he said it was up to Booth to investigate what a potential upgrade might look like. Within that, the conversations then revolve around fit.
“You have to ask yourself two questions: does it make us better, and how will it affect our locker room and our culture?” Malone said. “Talent is a given … but does he fit our identity? Does he fit what we’re about, is he a Denver Nugget?”
At 34-16, the Nuggets have the luxury of being an excellent team without making any changes. But if there’s a player who Booth feels can elevate their title chances, it’s incumbent on him to explore.
“There’s no pressure,” Malone said. “If something happens, it happens, if it doesn’t, we know what this team is capable of.”
Hyland’s averaging 12.3 points in nearly 20 minutes per game and shooting 38% from 3-point range so far this season. Yahoo first reported Hyland’s availability.