Recently, the New York Knicks signed Malcolm Brogdon. The 32-year-old guard was long considered a target for the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, as time went on, the Wolves' signing Brogdon seemed less likely. Last month, Jon Krawczynski reported that Bones Hyland was the favorite to earn one of the Wolves' two open roster spots. Johnny Juzang, whom the Wolves previously signed in August, will compete for the other roster spot in training camp.
Free agent guard Malcolm Brogdon has agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Knicks, agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation tells ESPN. Entering his 10th NBA season, the former Sixth Man of the Year gives the Knicks key backcourt depth and reserve playmaking. pic.twitter.com/JyVAywF2gj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 12, 2025
Despite Krawczynski's confidence in the Wolves signing Hyland, the Wolves reportedly still had interest in Brogdon, per Jake Fischer. Regardless, with Brogdon officially off the market, signing Hyland now feels like a move that will happen within a matter of time.
Bones Hyland is the perfect player to round out the Wolves' roster
Some Wolves fans might be disappointed by missing out on Brogdon. There's a strong case he'd be the best point guard on the roster from day one. However, the Wolves must develop second-year guard Rob Dillingham, and signing Brogdon would hurt his development. Chris Finch has openly discussed expanding the Wolves' rotation to include up to 10 players. If Brogdon were in the mix, Dillingham could be the odd man out.
As a result, signing a depth piece was always the logical option for Minnesota. Crucially, Hyland is the perfect player to round out the roster. The Wolves' main roster need is undoubtedly a point guard, and Hyland will fill this void perfectly. Minnesota signed Hyland on a two-way deal last season. The 6-foot-2 guard played just 17 total minutes. Nevertheless, Hyland is a gifted microwave scorer who has averaged 9.5 points during his four-year career. If there's an archetype the Wolves need in particular, it's a shot-creating guard, like Hyland.
It might not be a flashy move, but signing Hyland is a wise choice for the Wolves to round out their roster. Hyland will slide into a depth role, but he is capable of playing minutes in a pinch. He will turn 25 before the start of the season and could eventually earn a rotational role when Conley retires.
Signing Hyland would give the Wolves some much-needed point guard depth while allowing Dillingham to continue to grow. He might not play a ton this year, but I think there's some upside for Hyland to carve out a rotational role in the future. Regardless, it's a move that has no risk and would allow the Wolves to round out their roster in a nice way.
Overall, from both a short and long-term perspective, signing Hyland makes sense, and this move feels like a true certainty after the Brogdon news.