Report: Hornets interested in a 2023 "Rising Star"

Could Charlotte be looking to add a young guard to their core?

NBA Insider Chris Haynes recently started a new podcast with long time NBA journalist Marc Stein called "This League: Uncut". In the second episode of the podcast Chris Haynes reported that Charlotte had trade interest in Nah'Shon (Bones) Hyland.

On the latest “This League: Uncut” podcast @ChrisBHaynes said the following about NC native Bones Hyland

“What I do know is there’s a couple of teams who have registered interest. Among those, two I know for sure are Minnesota + Charlotte”

Stein added he hadn’t heard CLT linked pic.twitter.com/ur5idfYOh0

— James Plowright (@British_Buzz) February 2, 2023

Bones Hyland is a 2nd year player who was recently selected to the NBA's "Rising Stars" team at NBA All-Star weekend in Utah. However, according to Haynes there is "Friction" between Hyland and the coaching staff in Denver over his playing time and role. Despite averaging a career high 25 mpg in November, Hyland's playing time his slowly dwindled as the season has gone on (December 20 mpg, January 17 mpg). He is now clearly looking for an opportunity elsewhere.

Does Hyland Make Sense In Charlotte? 

Hyland is a long but skinny, hence the "Bones" nickname. Although not an NBA level playmaker, Hyland is an explosive pull up scorer from beyond the arc. He's an average finisher at the rim on the rare occasion he gets there and struggles to score efficiently in the midrange. Bones is often targeted on the defensive end, the Nuggets are +12 points per 100 possessions worse defensively when he's on the floor, that's in the #1 percentile in the league, yikes. Hyland is still only 22 years old, he has another two years on his low cost rookie contract which could be appealing to the Hornets. In an interesting juxtaposition Hyland is essentially the Anti-Dennis Smith Jr.

Personally, I don't see the great value in Hyland. I certainly wouldn't want to be giving up any premium assets. For Charlotte, the priority must but to add a high level starter or All-Star for next season. Fans can't lose sight of the fact that this team needs another star to pair with LaMelo, that's all that matters going forward. Helping sure up the back-up point guard position for the next two years feels like priority number 7on a very long list.

What could a Hyland trade look like?

I suspect Denver want their 2023 1st round pick back from Charlotte as that gives them additional flexibility in future trades. However, I would try to avoid offering that in hope of using that pick around the draft in a separate move.

I don't mind the trade listed below which is only possible due to Denver's TPEs.

Hyland for Plumlee + Smith Jr

Why for Denver? Smith Jr is one of the best guard defenders in the league, having him as an option to put on Curry, Fox or Morant in the playoffs might be intriguing. The Nuggets are also in need of a back-up center, which Mason Plumlee would fit nicely in a system where a passing big in Jokic already excels. This is a win now move which also gives Denver some additional flexibility this summer as both Smith Jr and Plumlee are expiring.

Why for Charlotte? The Hornets don't give up any long term pieces, what's to say Smith Jr and Plumlee aren't planning to leave in Free Agency anyway? This is a good way to cash in on some value now which doesn't just bring back more 2nd round picks.

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