After a decade of weeping and gnashing their teeth, the Minnesota Timberwolves are now one of the league’s most popular teams. It’s not just because the former cave-dwellers have clambered out of the NBA’s basement and now sit on Larry O’Brien’s doorstep. Led by Anthony Edwards, whose persona has shades of former franchise star Kevin Garnett, the Wolves are as entertaining off the court as they are on it.
The latest news coming out of the Great Lakes region could make them a social media darling.
Wolves Final Roster Spot Going To Bones Hyland
Initially characterized by The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski as “the front-runner to get (Minnesota’s final roster spot),” the longtime beat writer now confirms that charismatic combo guard Bones Hyland will be the team’s choice. Hyland, who was drafted 26th overall in 2021, may be signed as late as September. Nonetheless, the 24-year-old beats out a group of candidates that include Malcolm Brogdon, Cam Payne and Landry Shamet.
Notably, Hyland signed a two-way contract with the Timberwolves in February. The Atlanta Hawks had recently acquired him in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, they waived him days later, putting his NBA future in jeopardy.
It will be Bones. May stretch into September, but that’s gonna be the play.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) August 18, 2025
Or so it seemed.
Burying Bones
In Hyland’s time with the Denver Nuggets, he butted heads with then head coach Michael Malone. This prompted the first trade of his career, which sent him to Los Angeles. As the Clippers were another contending team, his leash was still shorter than it would be for rookies on a rebuilding squad. Nonetheless, their standards forced him to elevate both his game and his maturity.
Hyland’s first season with the Clippers was bookended by highly productive spurts.
In the first five games of 2023-24, he averaged 16.0 points per game and shot 46.4 percent from 3. In the last five games of the season, he averaged 14.2 points and 4.4 assists per game, shooting 45.2 percent from the field. His 2024-25 campaign was much more uneventful. However, he averaged 8.1 points and 1.0 steal in 13.0 minutes per game while shooting 38.6 percent from 3 from Nov. 25 to Feb. 4. Smack dab in the middle of that stretch, he averaged 17.7 points per game and shot 50.0 percent from in a three-game span.
Numbers aside, Hyland was putting forth more effort into fitting into the team’s offensive dynamic and holding his own defensively. Timberwolves president Tim Connelly, who was the Nuggets lead decision-maker when he was drafted, was watching the entire time. Three weeks after the Hawks released the 2021-22 All-Rookie selection, he was signing his two-way deal with Minnesota.
The Last Word on Bones Hyland
Incumbent starter Mike Conley is far closer to retirement than his prime. Presumed backup Donte DiVincenzo is nursing a persistent big toe injury. 2024 No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham has yet to earn Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch’s trust. So, though Hyland’s NBA career may be hanging by a thread, Minnesota’s circumstances work in his favor.
There’s a big difference between a highlight moment and a career milestone. However, as long as the Delaware native can string enough of those moments together, he’ll be moving in the right direction.
© Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
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