The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Bones Hyland this Monday. Bringing Hyland back was a long-rumored move, so it didn't come as a massive surprise. However, some Wolves fans were perplexed by signing Hyland, who played just 17 total minutes in four games with Minnesota after being brought in for the second half of last season.
Point guard is the clear position of need for the Wolves, so signing Hyland makes sense in some ways. Nevertheless, some fans were hoping for a point guard more primed to handle a sizable role.
Hyland is a clear depth piece who will allow Mike Conley to stay in the starting lineup and won't interfere with Rob Dillingham's development. Finding a point guard who wouldn't hinder Dillingham's growth was a clear priority for the Wolves. Still, some fans wanted a guy like Malcolm Brogdon, who signed with the New York Knicks shortly before the Wolves landed Hyland.
Minnesota plans to trust its established rotation and use Hyland as an emergency point guard. Let's dive into why this plan is logical.
Hyland is a depth piece who can play minutes in a pinch
Despite not playing much while being on a two-way contract last year, Hyland is more equipped to handle minutes than you might think. Hyland has averaged 17.1 minutes and 9.5 points for his career. Timberwolves general manager Tim Connelly drafted Hyland in the first-round with the Denver Nuggets back in 2021.
Hyland is a first-round talent who is a gifted shot creator and microwave scorer. His lack of playmaking and defense has hurt his career. Respectfully, the Wolves were able to sign Hyland in September for a reason. While the VCU product finds himself as a depth piece right now, he was a capable rotational piece earlier in his career.
Conley turns 38 in October and could sit out on one night of back-to-backs. In these games, and/or if injuries arise, Hyland could earn some real minutes, and there's evidence that he can contribute if given the opportunity.
It's worth noting that Hyland's contract is non-guaranteed. As a result, if the Wolves' point guard rotation proves to be problematic and/or Hyland struggles in the minutes he gets, Minnesota can cut ties with him. In this scenario, the Wolves look to make a trade for a guard or sign one of the many unsigned veterans.
Regardless, signing Hyland is a logical depth move with no risk given the structure of his contract. Overall, Hyland is the perfect "emergency" point guard for the Wolves.