The San Antonio Spurs are anticipated to remain mainly quiet before the NBA Trade Deadline on February 8, but there is still time for them to make a move. Adding a flashy player like Dejounte Murray is proving increasingly doubtful, but the Spurs might make a smaller transfer to strengthen their young core and provide some support for Victor Wembanyama.
The Spurs have little point guard depth, with Tre Jones the only genuine point guard on the roster. Blake Wesley and Malaki Branham can and have played point guard, although they are better suited for off-ball play. Since the Spurs abandoned the experiment of having Jeremy Sochan run the floor, they have found success matching Wembanyama with a point guard. Unfortunately, Jones is the only person who meets the criteria.
Bones Hyland is one name on the NBA trade market who suits the Spurs’ needs. The 23-year-old guard is on the bench for the Los Angeles Clippers, having lost playing time since the team traded for James Harden. The Clippers are apparently hunting for buyers as Hyland’s minutes decrease.
The Clippers are top in the league in three-point percentage but 19th in attempts, so adding a win-now player like Doug McDermott to enhance shooting volume is ideal.
McDermott will be a free agency this summer, giving the Clippers some roster flexibility. Hyland and Tucker are both under contract until next season, and San Antonio will most likely buy Tucker out.
Hyland was a productive backup guard for the Nuggets and Clippers before to his minutes reduction, averaging 10.9 points and 2.9 assists in 19 minutes of action over his first two seasons, and he is a career 36% three-point shooter.
San Antonio, Texas, USA; March 19, 2023. Gregg Popovich, head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, talks with Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) after the game at the AT&T Center.
Hyland shown flashes of potential brilliance in his rookie season in Denver, but he had little chance of playing on a win-now Clippers team that featured James Harden and Russell Westbrook in the backcourt. Instead of trading McDermott for picks or nothing!, the Spurs may take a gamble on Hyland when his stock is low.
