Four-Year NBA Veteran is Front-Runner for Timberwolves' Final Roster Spot

A former Denver Nuggets guard is the frontrunner for the Minnesota Timberwolves' final roster spot

Feb 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) cheers from the bench with teammates guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) and guard Joe Ingles (7) in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images | Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Final roster decisions are approaching sooner than many fringe players across the league would hope. Among those players fighting for a covered roster spot is a former Denver Nuggets fan favorite, and the latest reporting suggests he has a great chance to make the cut.

According to The Athletic's Jon Krawcyznski, Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland is the favorite to land the Minnesota Timberwolves' final roster spot for the 2025-26 season.

The Timberwolves are looking at a handful of guards to fill their final roster spot, including Malcolm Brogdon, Cam Payne and Landry Shamet, although Hyland appears to be the most appealing option in the franchise's eyes at this stage.

With the schedule trickling out bit by bit, now is a good time to take stock of the Wolves roster, including the plan to add depth behind Mike Conley and Rob Dillingham.
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— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) August 14, 2025

"The Wolves have looked into several candidates for the spot, including Malcolm Brogdon, Cam Payne and Landry Shamet," Krawcyznski reported. "However, all indications are that Bones Hyland is the front-runner to get that final spot, league sources said. Hyland signed a two-way contract with the Wolves in February, played briefly in Iowa and spent the rest of his time with the Timberwolves."

Hyland's Travels

Hyland's only season with more than 50 appearances was his rookie year in Denver, where he averaged 10.1 points in 69 appearances with the team. He averaged a career high 12.1 points per game in 42 appearances with the Nuggets in 2022-23 before being traded to the Clippers, where he occupied a reserve role for the remainder of the season.

Hyland started a career-high five games with the Clippers in 2023-24 and scored a career-high 37 points on 15-of-29 shooting against the Phoenix Suns in April.

The Clippers traded Hyland to Atlanta in a deal that sent Bogdan Bogdanovic back to the Clippers, although Hyland was immediately waived by Atlanta. Minnesota claimed Hyland off waivers and signed him to a two-way contract, though he only averaged 1.3 points in four in-game appearances with the NBA club.

Bones Hyland is currently the leading candidate for the Timberwolves last roster spot, per @JonKrawczynski

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— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) August 14, 2025

The Denver Nuggets originally drafted Hyland out of VCU with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Hyland was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in his sophomore season with the Rams in 2020-21, although he lost his opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament after multiple positive COVID-19 tests in the VCU program required their first-round game against Oregon to be declared a no-contest, with Oregon advancing.

Nov 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland (5) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Hyland also earned Atlantic 10 All-Rookie honors during his freshman year with the program in 2019-2020, another season that was cut short for the team due to the cancellation of the season amid the first wave of the Coronavirus.

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