Timberwolves Hyland bones hope to find his niche

When Bones Hyland first met Tim Connelly, Connelly was the president of basketball operations in Denver and Hyland was entering the NBA draft.

During the project’s combine that year, the Nuggets interviewed Hyland, and at one point Hyland said he had “rapped one of my songs for them”.

Since that moment, he said, he and Connelly have established a connection.

“We just had a different connection, a close connection,” Hyland said. “…just that belief that he has in me. He’s always had my back. He’s a guy that I really look up to. Every time I see Tim, it’s always a big hug. I’m so grateful for him for believing in me.”

Connelly drafted Hyland in 2021 with the 26th overall pick, and after Connelly left for Minnesota, there was interest in bringing Hyland to the Timberwolves first when the Nuggets traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers, and then last season after the Atlanta Hawks waived Hyland in a trade with the Clippers.

The 6-foot-2 guard signed with the Wolves on a two-way deal in February before signing a minimum contract to join the main roster during the offseason largely due to the belief Connelly has in him.

Hyland took a look in the preseason. He had an 18-point performance in 22 minutes in a win over Denver on Saturday night in San Diego. On Tuesday night, the Wolves hosted the Indiana Pacers. Hyland is officially on his fourth team in five seasons, and he said that during that time he has matured, especially into potential Hall of Famers like James Harden and Kawhi Leonard when he was with the Clippers.

“I learned patience. I learned to get through life every day.… My work ethic was already up there, but just seeing how hard they work, even as a Hall of Famer, and they were already established, still making it work every day, staying late after (practice),” he said. “…I learned a lot, but now I feel like, because it’s made me into a more man, I’ve matured more and I don’t take things for granted.”