The New York Knicks have had success in recent drafts, such as with Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley in 2020, but in 2021, New York passed on one particular guard out of VCU.
With the No. 25 overall pick, the Clippers selected Quentin Grimes, and as we know, he was traded to the Knicks. At No. 26, the Nuggets selected Nah’Shon Hyland, otherwise known as ‘Bones’ Hyland.
This isn’t to say that New York shouldn’t have drafted Grimes although unfortunately, he was only limited to 46 games this past season because of injuries. The 21-year-old out of the University of Houston has a high ceiling and if he can stay healthy, he can be a consistent starter for the Knicks.
Although it’s all for naught, let’s explore what New York’s year might’ve been like had Hyland been taken at No. 25.
Nah'shon “Bones” Hyland has worked out with the Knicks and went pretty good. He said meeting the front office was the best part of the experience. He’s the biggest riser after his Day 1 performance at Draft Combine. He’s got pointers from IQ (who he said he played in rec ball). pic.twitter.com/6JIquGKu48
— alder almo (@alderalmo) June 24, 2021
The New York Knicks missed out on opportunity to draft Bones Hyland.
Hyland has been a spark off the bench for Denver, who’s been without guard Jamal Murray for the entirety of the 2021-22 season.
Bones Hyland's per game averages and ratings since moving from backup shooting guard to backup point guard:
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) March 23, 2022
19.7 minutes
11.4 points
3.5 assists
3.1 rebounds
0.7 steals
1.4 turnovers
44.1 FG%
43.1 3P%
84.3 FT%
113.9 O Rating
110.5 D Rating
+3.4 Net Rating
The 21-year-old point guard played in 69 regular-season games (4 starts) and averaged 10.1 points and 2.8 assists. Hyland shot 40.3% from the field, 36.6% from the 3-point line, and 85.6% from the free-throw line.
His shooting stats are similar to Grimes’, who shot 40.4% from the floor and 38.1% from beyond the arc in his time on the court with the Knicks.
It’s impossible to say that if Hyland were in New York under Tom Thibodeau, his numbers would be similar to the ones that he put up under Michael Malone in the regular season. It’s easy to suggest that the rookie would’ve made more of an impact with the Knicks since Grimes was hurt, but that wouldn’t be fair to Grimes.
And we all know how Thibodeau is when it comes to young players. Hyland would’ve sat on the bench, like Quickley did for a large part of the year, and watched Alec Burks start at point guard.
But this is a topic of conversation in the first place especially given how Hyland’s been a spark for the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs against the Warriors, with a thrilling 15 points (5-of-10), 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in Denver’s Game 4 126-121 win.
Looking back, Leon Rose made the right decision to go for Grimes over Hyland. Although Hyland can play both guard positions, he’s better at the point and the Knicks already have Quickley. And New York could potentially be bringing in a new face during the offseason.
If what RJ Barrett said is true (and why would it not be?), the Knicks will be back in the playoffs in 2023 and hopefully, Grimes will get to be a valuable contributor.
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