It has been a nice redemption story for Bones Hyland this season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Falling out of favor with both the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers, Hyland joined Minnesota on a two-way deal late last season and barely saw the floor. Many in the fan base were surprised when the team brought the 25-year-old guard back in the offseason, even if it was on a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum.
The 2021 first-round pick has been much-needed for the Wolves all year. With both Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. (the former now on the Chicago Bulls) not making anticipated second-year leaps, Bones has stepped in to provide offense and energy. I’m sure the Timberwolves would love to have him back next year, but will they be able to afford to keep both him and trade acquisition Ayo Dosunmu?
Both Hyland and Dosunmu are unrestricted free agents after the season
Sure, there have been inconsistencies from Hyland this season. Overall, though, he has been the team’s second-best scorer off the bench on the year, prior to the team adding Dosunmu. Hyland is averaging 7.6 points and 2.6 assists in 15.2 minutes while shooting just shy of 40 percent from 3-point territory. You aren’t going to find too many players making more of an impact while playing on the vet’s minimum.
I would expect Hyland's next deal, whether from Minnesota or someone else, to be more than the minimum. He is someone who hasn’t had a huge deal yet in his career, first playing through his rookie contract before this season’s minimum salary. No, he won’t break the bank, but a raise is in the cards.
The Timberwolves also have to bring back Dosunmu, an unrestricted free agent who has fit seamlessly with the club since joining them at the trade deadline. After giving up four second-round picks (along with Dillingham and Leonard Miller) to acquire Dosunmu, the team’s intentions weren’t for him to be a rental for a few months. In his 16 outings with the Wolves, the 26-year-old guard is averaging an efficient 12.8 points (53.6% from the field, 41.5% from beyond the arc).
Dosunmu is in line for a three-year $52 million extension this summer. This makes re-signing Hyland difficult. In all likelihood, Minnesota will again be an apron team next year. Unfortunately, to avoid the second apron, the Timberwolves may be faced with a choice of keeping just one of the two.