A guard in the NBA today who lacks size and strength will inevitably miss opportunities in several residences in the United States, including some in the G-League. Teams value these characteristics heavily, as they determine the player's defensive strength, and when both are insufficient, being employed long-term in the league can be challenging.
This is a void points cannot fill up well enough for teams to hold on, as the idea of posing as a liability on one side of the ball will scare executives to their darkest nightmare. Thus, roster spots in both conferences may feel like defensive tryouts, as contenders prefer to experiment in short stints before making a decision that could harm their future.
Moreover, the LA Clippers ran a trial with Bones Hyland that was good for 71 games through three seasons. He was mostly benched, but occasionally, when he played, the VCU product would dominate, as he did against the Phoenix Suns in 2024 with 37 points.
The Clippers knew Hyland was a gifted scorer with a lethal handle that would make defenders look silly, but because he could not defend himself, head coach Tyronn Lue only gave him meaningful minutes in times of injury.
In the end, Hyland had to be traded, as the Clippers needed the additional roster space and money. Hence, Lawrence Frank shipped him to Atlanta, the team that waived him, leading to his newest home next to Anthony Edwards in Minnesota.
Last season, Hyland appeared in only four games for the Timberwolves, none of which were in the playoffs. Yet, the latest update from Jake Fischer suggests that he could remain where he is.
Jake Fischer reveals the Minnesota Timberwolves have interest in retaining Bones HylandÂ
With Rob Dillingham already in training for the future of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bones Hyland could become a growing fit. He is perfect in the sixth man role, and with added strength, head coach Chris Finch may end up playing him more than he currently anticipates.
Furthermore, Jake Fischer, who shared inside information from the Timberwolves' front office, reported Minnesota aspires to keep Hyland, which would be a first for the Delaware native, as the LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets traded him after experiencing different types of flaws.
Granted, Hyland was young on the Clippers, but he acted as a true veteran and real professional for Tyronn Lue. He just needed to find the right system, and Minnesota may have that waiting for him next season.