Report: Bones Hyland is one of the 'most likely players to be dealt'

It's seeming more and more likely that the Denver Nuggets willtrade guard Bones Hyland prior to the NBA trade deadline on Feb.9.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports first reported that the Nuggetswere exploring trade options involving Hyland. Fischer explainedthat Hyland has occasionally clashed with head coach MichaelMalone's old-school mentality and that Denver wants to get back adefensive-minded frontcourt player (plus a pick).

NBA insider Marc Stein is hearing the same thing regardingHyland's availability, adding that Denver also has "concerns abouthis defensive shortcomings and some recent tensions over playingtime."

Given that a Hyland trade is one of Denver's only options toimprove its roster, Bones "is suddenly regarded as one of theleague’s most likely players to be dealt before the Feb. 9 buzzer,"per Stein.

Bruce Brown is expected to decline his $6.9 million playeroption next offseason, which is even more reason for Denver to findanother defensive specialist prior to the deadline.

Hyland is in his second NBA season and the 22-year-old hasaveraged 12.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 2.2 threes and 0.7steals, while shooting 40.0% from the field, 37.9% from three-pointrange and 86.3% from the free-throw line.

The Nuggets are currently 34-16, which is the best record in theWestern Conference and the second-best record in the NBA. Denvercurrently has the NBA's top-ranked offense, scoring 115.5 pointsper 100 possessions.

The 2023 NBA trade deadline is Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. ET.