When the Minnesota Timberwolves brought back Bones Hyland late in the offseason, not much was expected of him. This was understandable, as he played just four games with the Wolves last year on a two-way deal and was on the verge of playing overseas. However, Bones has exceeded all expectations since becoming a mainstay of the Timberwolves' rotation in mid-December.
With Rob Dillingham struggling to find any sort of groove, Chris Finch decided to give Hyland a chance on December 8 against the Phoenix Suns. He didn't disappoint, notched 14 points and three dimes. In the 18 games that Hyland has been part of the Wolves' rotation is averaging 9.4 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 rebounds, on 44/37.3/76.9 shooting splits.
Hyland has provided the Wolves' bench with some much-needed scoring, playmaking, and energy. This is especially vital for a Wolves squad that lacks point guard play. The VCU product is quickly becoming a fan favorite.
It's not exactly the same situation, but Hyland's emergence is similar to Nickeil Alexander-Walker rejuvenating his career with the Wolves a few years ago. Seeing a player unexpectedly get their career back on track is one of the most exciting things that can happen in the NBA.
Bones Hyland resurrecting his career in Minnesota (much like Nickeil Alexander-Walker did before him) has been a really fun subplot of this season.
— Kyle Theige (@KyleTheige) January 14, 2026
Hyland is on a similar track to Alexander-Walker
Hyland and Alexander-Walker are widely different players. The former is an undersized sparkplug guard while the latter is a well-rounded 6-foot-5 wing. They also arrived in Minnesota differently. Alexander-Walker was a "throw-in piece" of a mid-season trade for Mike Conley in 2023, while Hyland signed with the Wolves as a free agent in the middle of last year after being waived by the Atlanta Hawks.
Nevertheless, the idea of a former first-round pick turning around their career with the Wolves is inherently similar. Alexander-Walker was averaging just 14.7 minutes with the Utah Jazz, and it was unclear what his NBA future was. As mentioned, Hyland originally signed a two-way contract with the Wolves and was out of the Los Angeles Clippers' rotation before that. Notably, both players also first came to Minnesota in their fourth season.
And much like Hyland, Alexander-Walker didn't immediately find his groove with the Wolves. In his 23 games of the regular season with the Wolves, Alexander-Walker averaged 15.5 minutes and 5.9 points. However, an injury to Jaden McDaniels forced the Timberwolves to turn to NAW, and he stepped up in a big way. During the five games of the 2023 playoffs, he started in four games, averaging 29.6 minutes, 8.4 points, while netting 40 percent of his 3-pointers.
Alexander-Walker didn't look back from there as he averaged 24.4 minutes, 8.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 43.8/38.6/78.7 shooting splits in the following two seasons with the Wolves. Of course, NAW eventually left Minnesota in the 2025 offseason to sign with the Hawks. There,he has reached another level, becoming a 20-point-per-game scorer.
Undoubtedly, Alexander-Walker earned his $64 million contract with the Hawks due to his stellar play in Minnesota. Whether Hyland eventually earns a deal like this is unclear, but much like Alexander-Walker before him, landing in Minnesota has allowed him to find his role and changed the trajectory of his career.
For all the talk about Chris Finch not being able to develop young talent, finding diamonds in the rough, like Alexander-Walker and Hyland, shouldn't be ignored.