current location:HOME > Sports News > Basketball Hub > Text content

Evaluating the Clippers' three NBA trade deadline moves

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-18)Basketball Hub105

This year's NBA trade deadline challenged the glut of WesternConference contenders to test how far they would go to separatethemselves from the pack.

Some teams, like the Phoenix Suns in their Kevin Durantblockbuster or the Dallas Mavericks in their Kyrie Irvingacquisition, swung for the fences. Others — such as the DenverNuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans — only nabbed arotation player or two, opting to bet on their current core.

The Los Angeles Clippers appear to fall in the latter group, butwe should not overlook their trade-deadline moves. With threeseparate trades, all in the final hours of dealmaking on Thursday,the Clippers added Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon and Mason Plumlee.They took calculated risks and changed three important spots intheir rotation, hoping the current stalwart defense insulates aboost of offensive juice.

Hyland was one of the hottest names in the rumor mill last weekafter his falling out with the Nuggets.Los Angeles pounced and dealt two second-round picks for the formerNo. 26 overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Hyland quickly becomes the most promising developmental talenton the roster at 22 years old. But more immediately, he brings ahigh-charged dose of long-range shotmaking to the Clippers'bottom-10 offense.

Bones Hyland hit a career-high 7three-pointers to lead the @nuggets tothe win! #MileHighBasketball@BizzyBones11:26 PTS, 7 3PM pic.twitter.com/IkJU5Ajf0U

— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2022

The combo guard profiles as one of the most extreme perimetercreators in the entire league. Some evidence: Hyland has attempted118 self-created threes this season, according to PBP Stats, whichwould rank second on his new team behind Paul George (164) and farabove the third-place guard he's replacing (Reggie Jackson, 66), inonly 820 minutes this season. His 39.8% clip on those attemptsranks 13th among 81 players who have attempted at least 50 suchshots.

To this point of his career, however, Hyland's primary impacthas come from distance. He can attack the basket, but he's no morethan a mediocre rim-pressure threat, and he's a very limitedplaymaker. Microwave shooting is an important skill that can swinga playoff series if active; it's unclear if Hyland can consistentlyimpact the game this way.

That's why the Eric Gordon trade adds another level of intrigue.Gordon, a 34-year-old shooting guard, finally leaves a rebuildingHouston Rockets situation after years in and out of reported tradetalks. He rejoins the franchise that drafted him seventh overallway back in 2008.

Ty Lue on the @LAClippersnew editions of Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon & Mason Plumlee. #LAClippers pic.twitter.com/yxsD8SyutK

— Hoops & Brews (@HoopsNBrews) February 11, 2023

Gordon has a 15-year history of solid, albeit streaky, pull-upshooting, and he can still slice his way to the rim with ease.Gordon has converted 67% or more of his shots within three feet ofthe hoop in each of the last three seasons, per BasketballReference — and that's in a Houston offense that has looked prettywonky at times.

The Clippers acquired Gordon in a three-team deal with theRockets and Grizzlies that ultimately sent John Wall to Houston andLuke Kennard to Memphis. They now have a reshaped guard rotationthat includes Hyland, Gordon, Terance Mann and Norman Powell — fourcomplementary scoring threats next to Kawhi Leonard and PaulGeorge.

Share with friends:

“Evaluating the Clippers' three NBA trade deadline moves” ofrelated articles

Caitlin Clark drops 41 points, Iowa beats LSU to advance to Final Four

The Iowa Hawkeyes are headedback to the Final Four following a sensational performance fromwomen’s college basketball superstar Caitlin Clark.Clark po...

Cavs’ Craig Porter Jr. exceeding expectations, earning Rising-Stars buzz

The Cleveland Cavaliers are inthe midst of an impressive season, boasting the fourth-best record(26-16) in the Eastern Conference after winning eight...

Jabari Parker: NBA is 'watered down,' less legitimate than EuroLeague

Former No. 2 overall pick Jabari Parker is turning heads aftertaking some shots at the NBA.The former phenom recently signed a one-year contract with...

Boston Celtics 2023-24 NBA season preview: Can the C's win it all?

Who are these BostonCeltics?As of late, they haveconsistently been a top-four team in the NBA, but rarely top-twoand never No. 1. They have flashes of...

Pelicans star Zion Williamson poised to silence critics this season

Pelicans star Zion Williamson poised to silence critics this season

It's fair to say that NewOrleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson hasn't had the ideal startto his young NBA career.Playing in just 114 games acrossfo...

Tracy McGrady on staying with Kobe Bryant, nearly playing with MJ, more

AlexKennedy is joined by 7-time NBA All-Star and Hall-of-Famer TracyMcGrady!T-Macdiscusses his Ones Basketball League that he recently founded,staying...