All season long, the Minnesota Timberwolves' loss of Nickeil Alexander-Walker has clearly hurt the team. Minnesota has desperately lacked bench production with Alexander-Walker now in Atlanta. Notably, the Wolves have dropped from 19th to 26th in bench points per game. Outside of Naz Reid, the Wolves don't have any consistent scoring off the bench.
The Wolves miss everything about Alexander-Walker's well-rounded skill set, including his on-ball defense, secondary playmaking, creation, and spot-up shooting. With NAW having a Most Improved Player-level season, averaging 20.3 points, this loss stings even more.
Terrence Shannon Jr., Rob Dillingham, and Jaylen Clark haven't been able to fill this Alexander-Walker void yet. However, it's been Bones Hyland who has shockingly been the closest thing to a NAW replacement. I can't emphasize enough that these players have vastly different playstyles, but Hyland's sudden emergence in the rotation is starting to ease the pain from losing Alexander-Walker.
Of course, the Wolves still miss Alexander-Walker, but Hyland is starting to provide the production Minnesota has lacked since losing NAW.
Hyland is giving the Timberwolves exactly what they need off the bench
Since returning to the rotation two weeks ago (excluding the Golden State Warriors game where he left with an injury), Hyland has averaged 24.2 minutes, 13.2 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, on 48.8/40/85.7 shooting splits. Hyland is giving the Wolves the exact spark that they have lacked off the bench. His ability to generate rim pressure and create shots from the perimeter is a game-changer for the Wolves.
It's the worst-kept secret in the NBA that Minnesota needs a point guard. While he isn't a traditional PG, Alexander-Walker's departure highlighted the need for another ball handler. Hyland might not be the long-term solution for the Wolves' point guard woes, but he's an intriguing option.
Hyland has a dazzling combination of speed, handles, and shot creation. He is shooting an impressive 38.5 percent on pull-up 3-pointers and 71.4 percent at the rim. Frankly, the Wolves hoped this was what Dillingham would look like in his second season.
Nevertheless, finding this production from Hyland, who earned a last-minute roster spot, is a game-changer for the Wolves' bench, and it alleviates some of the concerns from losing Alexander-Walker.
If Hyland can keep up this production, the Wolves suddenly have a dependable bench scoring next to Reid, and their bench looks a lot closer to what it was last season. Ultimately, Hyland could change the trajectory of the Wolves' season.