Evaluating the Clippers' three NBA trade deadline moves

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

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

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.