The Minnesota Timberwolves currently have two open roster spots. Even if they decide to leave one open for the start of the regular season, many are speculating that the team will look to sign a backcourt player. While names have been thrown out as to who that player could be, one name that really hasn’t been mentioned often was actually a member of the team last season.
Bones Hyland appeared in 4 games for Minnesota
On Friday, after the Timberwolves signed Johnny Juzang, The Athletic’s Jon Krawcyznski tweeted out that Minnesota is still possibly looking to add more experienced guards. A name he brought up is Bones Hyland, who ended last season with the Wolves.
Juzang’s deal with the Wolves is going to be a camp deal. They will still consider more experienced guards. One name that hasn’t been discussed as much publicly: Bones Hyland. Still think there’s a possibility there
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) August 1, 2025
You can forgive Timberwolves fans if they don’t remember much from Hyland in their favorite team's jersey. The 24-year-old point guard only played four games for them for a total of 17 minutes. He scored five points and dished out four assists in that abbreviated time.
Traded to the Hawks from the Clippers in February, Hyland was subsequently waived. A few weeks later, the Wolves added him on a two-way deal. Hyland lit up the box score in two outings with the Iowa Wolves of the G League. He averaged 33.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 4.0 steals in those two contests.
Made All-Rookie second team in 2021-22
Selected by the Nuggets with the 26th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Hyland looked like someone who could play the role of microwave scorer off the bench. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 10.1 points as a rookie, earning his way onto the All-Rookie second team. He also averaged double figures in scoring in 2022-23, in a year he played for both Denver and the Clippers.
Hyland’s playing time has decreased the last two seasons where he hasn’t made all that much of an impact (although he did score a career-high 37 points late in the 2023-24 season). The Clippers had James Harden and Kris Dunn taking the lion’s share of the point guard minutes last season while Hyland was still rostered by them.
Since Hyland has now played four years, he is no longer eligible for a two-way contract. If the Timberwolves are indeed still interested in him, they do not necessarily have to give him a standard deal. Much like Juzang, Hyland can receive a training camp deal to try to earn his way onto the regular season roster.