Tim Connelly rewarded the Wolves rookie with a standard multi-year contract while reuniting with a familiar face, Bones Hyland.
After nearly a month of playing meaningful minutes for the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Wolves converted Jaylen Clark’s two-way contract into a fully guaranteed two-year contract. According to Dane Moore, he will be on a minimum deal this and next season.
FROM SHAMS:
The Minnesota Timberwolves plan to convert guard Jaylen Clark on a fully guaranteed, two-year NBA contract, agent Todd Ramasar of Life Sports Agency told ESPN. Clark has been on a two-way since being a second-round pick to Minnesota in 2023, now earns a standard deal.
— Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-02-26T18:43:10.341Z
Though this is certainly positive news, it should not be surprising to anyone who has seen Clark play in the last few weeks. The 23-year-old rookie, who spent the entire previous season rehabbing an Achilles tear, has impressed both fans and opponents with his tenacious defense and timely offensive contributions. His representation has long been working with Minnesota’s front office to secure this deal.
Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images
The Wolves have been battling injury issues since the new calendar year. As a result, the former Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year has seamlessly stepped into a notable role, both as a backup and spot starter. He’s played 10 minutes or more in the last 13 games, averaging 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 1.3 steals while posting shooting splits of .471/.444/.750.
His emergence has provided many fans a feeling of security as Minnesota has the difficult task of trying to retain both Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker this summer. Clark fits the mold of the latter and still has a ton of room for improvement.
Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly, wasn’t done cooking just yet. Clark’s signing opened up a two-way spot for the Wolves, so Connelly snagged up a familiar face. A player he himself drafted in the 2021 NBA draft.
FROM SHAMS:
After converting Jaylen Clark, the Minnesota Timberwolves plan to sign free agent guard Bones Hyland to a two-way NBA deal, agent Austin Walton told ESPN. Hyland will be reunited with Wolves president Tim Connelly, who drafted him in Denver where he was a two-time Rising Star.
— Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-02-26T18:44:53.370Z
The wiry 24-year-old guard has long been a player that Connelly has kept his eyes on. He had been the subject of trade rumors in previous years, including the Timberwolves as a suitor. After starting his career averaging 10.9 points off the bench for the Denver Nuggets, he has spent the last couple seasons toiling away at the end of the Los Angeles Clippers bench, mostly getting just garbage time minutes. In over two seasons and change, he only appeared 71 games for them.
Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images
For those of you who are unaware of Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland game, he plays a very Jamal Crawford-esque style that is pleasing to fans of “hoopers.” He’s wizard with the ball in his hands, incredible shifty, and possesses a deadly shooting touch from deep. However, his defense leaves much to be desired, if we’re being generous. In fact, many felt that Wolves rookie, Rob Dillingham, is built in the same mold and player archetype as Hyland.
Fans should not be too concerned about this signing impacting the development of Dillingham or the emergence of Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr. Hyland may spend most of his time with the Iowa Wolves, who are desperately in need of talent, and might not be more than just a practice body with the main team. In the meantime, enjoy yourself some Bones highlight reels.