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Nuggets winners and losers as free agency grinds to a halt

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 17: Bones Hyland #3 reacts with Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 17: Bones Hyland #3 reacts with Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 22: Bones Hyland #3 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a three-point basket against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena on March 22, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 22: Bones Hyland #3 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a three-point basket against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena on March 22, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) /

Winner: Bones Hyland

On a much more positive note, there’s Bones Hyland, who by all accounts appears to be primed to take another leap forward in 2023.

When Bones first started out with the Denver Nuggets, few even projected him to crack into Malone’s rotation. However, with the team suffering injuries to their second and third-best players in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., immediate assistance was needed and that’s exactly what Hyland provided.

Bones Hyland went from averaging just over 12 minutes per game in October, to nearly 22 minutes per game by early March. He went from an unknown late first-round pick, to the Nuggets backup point guard and one of the first players off the bench. Firmly cementing himself in Denver’s rotation earlier than anybody could have expected.

By the end of his rookie season, Bones was averaging 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game with .403/.366/.856 shooting splits. All of which was good enough to earn him a spot on the All-Rookie second team.

Now, Hyland enters the upcoming season with a franchise that’s without a clear PG1. Monte Morris has left for D.C., while Ish Smith is no more than a backup point guard (at best). Meaning that the VCU product is likely to receive a significant bump up in minutes and an expanded role within the offense.

Of course, with Jamal Murray expected to return at full strength, and KCP projecting to slot in next to him in the starting lineup. It appears that Hyland will remain the first guard off the bench, at least for the time being.

However, with both Morris and Barton no longer on the roster, there’s plenty of left over minutes to pass around. Which means that there’s plenty of opportunity for Hyland to continue to grow into a higher position in the depth chart.

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