Timberwolves Considering Several Players for Final Roster Spot

Aside from Thursday’s awesome schedule release, all has been quiet on the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ shores. That could be changing soon, however.

The Wolves have one roster spot that remains available, but we’ve seen the Timberwolves leave that roster spot open at times too, either to save money and/or maintain maximum flexibility. In other words, it’s not a guarantee they fill it at all.

But there’s no doubt this team could still make upgrades. A playmaking guard, for example, who could help facilitate in the half-court and maybe get Anthony Edwards off the ball, when necessary, would be a great way to use up that final spot.

What about a guard for the MN Timberwolves though?

Then again, leaving it vacant would give allow up-and-coming Wolves, along with recent signings such as Johnny Juzang, a better chance of making the team out of training camp and making worthwhile contributions in 2025-26.

But reading the latest from Minnesota Timberwolves insider Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic), president of basketball operations Tim Connelly is planning to fill the roster vacancy. In fact, the Wolves are currently considering a quartet of players for their final roster spot.

The four names up for consideration are Malcolm Brogdon, Cam Payne, Landry Shamet, and Bones Hyland. Of course, Hyland closed out last season as a member of the MN Timberwolves, and per Krawczynski, Hyland “is the “frontrunner” again.

The Wolves have looked into several candidates for the spot, including Malcolm Brogdon, Cam Payne and Landry Shamet, league sources told The Athletic. 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.

The Athletic

Tim Connelly loves him some Bones Hyland

Tim Connelly has always had a soft spot for Bones Hyland. He drafted the 6’2″, 173 lb VCU alum No. 26 overall in 2021 and made him into one of the more exciting young surprises in the NBA almost immediately.

Hyland’s first 125 NBA games (2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons), the now 24-year-old averaged 10.9 points, 2.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per night, quickly inserting himself as a future cornerstone of Tim Connelly’s Nuggets.

Love too hoop! Opportunity meets Preparation soon 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/CpzCF9tOhe

— Bones Hyland (@BizzyBones11) July 15, 2025

Related: Former MN Timberwolves Player Evicted from Home

Then, Connelly left Denver for Minnesota and Hyland left for LA (Clippers). He hasn’t been the same player since, averaging 6.6 points, 2 assists and 1.3 rebounds (12.8 MPG) in 61 total games over the past two seasons.

Whether it’s a Hyland reclamation project, one of the other three names listed by Jon Krawczynski, or someone currently off the radar, it’s clear the MN Timberwolves are still hunting for backcourt help to bolster their depth chart behind Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham, TJ Shannon.

Hyland was only with the Timberwolves on a two-way contract last season, which is the same type Naz Reid was initially signed to. Hyland made a strong impression while with the Iowa Wolves last season; perhaps the former Denver Nuggets player’s next chapter sees him make an impact in Minnesota too.