Amid one of the hottest stretches for any NBA team during the 2023-24 season, the Los Angeles Clippers are exploring their trade options leading up to the Feb. 8 deadline.
Per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Clippers have been "gauging the trade market" for Bones Hyland and P.J. Tucker.
Tucker has been a popular trade candidate since he has fallen out of head coach Tyronn Lue's rotation. The 38-year-old was acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in the James Harden deal and hasn't appeared in a game since Nov. 27.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Tucker has "expressed frustration" about his role with the Clippers, and the two sides have discussed ways "to resolve a role for him" in Los Angeles or on another club.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Christmas Day that the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks have interest in Tucker.
Hyland could be of interest to a young and/or rebuilding team. The 23-year-old point guard has shown flashes of promise over the past three seasons. He was a first-round draft pick by the Denver Nuggets in 2021.
There was a point when Hyland looked like he would be another developmental success story for the Nuggets. Instead, he was traded to the Clippers in February 2023 in a four-team trade that also involved the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic.
Per Mike Singer of the Denver Post, Hyland's departure from the Nuggets "was essentially rendered inevitable after he walked off the bench late in a home loss to Oklahoma City" earlier that season.
The Nuggets punished Hyland by making him fly commercial to meet with the team and he wasn't at their shootaround, nor was he active for their next game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Clippers haven't given Hyland much more playing time than he received in Denver. He's only played in 18 games so far this season and 32 since the trade.
Hyland has averaged 10.3 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game in 143 career appearances. He's a 36.5 percent three-point shooter on 5.1 attempts per contest.
After a slow start this season, the Clippers have vaulted up to fourth place in the Western Conference with a 30-15 record. They've won 22 of their last 27 games since Dec. 2.
