With the NBA trade deadline just days away, teams can make calls left and right in hopes of improving their rosters.
The Thunder were thought to be more sellers than buyers, but with some unexpected players on the market, some chances could be general manager Sam Presti and co. You cannot pass.
Nah Sean ‘Bones’ Hyland wasn’t expected to be on the suspension weeks ago, but reports are mounting that the second-year guard could be dealt before the deadline.
Oklahoma City isn’t looking to add win-now talent right now, but at 22 years old, Hyland is still considered a legitimate rebuilding asset.
With second-year guard Tre Mann yet to show his ceiling in the backcourt, Bones could get a legitimate look from Oklahoma City for a sixth-man role.
Highlander is averaging 12.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists this season while shooting 40 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc. He fits the OKC mold of being able to do it all offensively, and while he’s not a great defender by any means, anyone without that ability will get plenty of minutes on his own.
Here’s what a mock trade between Oklahoma City and Denver could look like:
Oklahoma City gets: Nah’Shon Hyland
Denver acquired: 2024 unprotected Clippers first round pick
Denver may not be able to use any picks, but an unprotected 2024 Clippers pick with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard healthy could bring some legitimate draft help.
OKC will need to merge picks into players at some point and Highlander might just want to send something valuable. If not, there are plenty of other deals to be made with unprecedented first-round picks by the team.
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