Calvin Booth doesn’t appreciate single-skill experts. The Denver Nuggets GM encourages players to be multi-faceted, particularly in the normal skillset for their position. Booth also wants players who can operate as part of a unit. Being a score-first sort of player isn’t what fascinates him.
As such, Booth had a choice to make last season. Both Michael Porter Jr. and Nah’Shon ‘Bones’ Hyland are score-first type athletes. Porter Jr. is highly skilled and brings a broad skillset at the forward position. Hyland is still maturing and finding his feet in the NBA. Neither player is a reliable defender for their position. As such, Booth elected to trade Hyland to the L.A. Clippers.
During a recent interview with Kevin O’Connor of “The Ringer,” Booth revealed extra information on why he elected to trade Hyland.
The Nuggets maintained their great season and won its first NBA title in team history. Christian Braun emerged as a good rotation option as he filled the space left by Hyland.
.@KevinOConnorNBA talked to Nuggets president of basketball operations Calvin Booth about his plan to build a dynasty in Denver:https://t.co/Y5PTkuIE6i
— The Ringer (@ringer) October 16, 2023
After joining the Clippers, Hyland competed in 14 regular-season games, averaging 10.8 points, 3.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds. He hit 46% from 2-point range and 35.1% from deep.
Hyland is entering his third NBA season and is still on the Clippers roster. There is a club option on his contract for the 2024-25 season for $4.1 million. Los Angeles also re-signed Russell Westbrook this summer, so, Hyland will likely be featured in a bench position and might flourish as a sixth-man type scorer.
Overall, Booth made a selection based on the way he perceived the game of basketball. He has a theory on team development, and Hyland didn’t suit that concept. However, it doesn’t mean Hyland can’t succeed in the NBA. It’s all about finding the perfect opportunity and the appropriate match.
As a third-year guard, Hyland has plenty of time to work things out.
