The Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t finished building out their roster just yet. With one spot still open, the team is reportedly eyeing a veteran guard to provide depth behind Mike Conley and rookie Rob Dillingham.
According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the front office has looked into several options as they prepare for a deep run in the loaded Western Conference. Among the names mentioned are Malcolm Brogdon, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, and Bones Hyland, each offering a different mix of experience, playmaking, and scoring punch.
“The Wolves have looked into several candidates for the spot, including Malcolm Brogdon, Cam Payne, and Landry Shamet,” wrote Krawczynski. “However, all indications are that Bones Hyland is the front-runner to get that final spot.”
The Timberwolves are a team on the rise, thanks to the emergence of Anthony Edwards. The 24-year-old guard has become one of the league’s most valuable superstars with career averages of 23.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 44.6% shooting. Drafted with the first overall pick in 2020, he’s leading the Wolves to prosperity in the West alongside Naz Reid, Rudy Gobert, and Julius Randle.
Last season, after finishing sixth in the West (49-33), they defeated the Lakers in the first round of the Western playoffs before being eliminated by the Thunder (5-1) in the Western Conference Finals. It was the second straight year Minnesota reached that far, but they have yet to close the deal and win their first NBA championship.
Going into the 2025-26 campaign, the Timberwolves are aiming to change that. While most of their roster is unchanged, and they lost out on the pursuit of Kevin Durant, they have a chance to increase their odds if they save their final roster spot on the right player.
The biggest area of need for Minnesota is in the backcourt. At 37 years old, Mike Conley is on the decline, and they’ll need a reliable backup for him to complete their backcourt rotation and keep up with the NBA’s most elite backcourts.
Bones Hyland is the leading candidate so far, and the Timberwolves are hoping he can handle a bigger role after averaging 4.3 minutes per game last season. He remains unsigned and would be a low-cost pickup for Minnesota if they want a scoring boost off the bench.
Malcolm Brogdon is another ideal target. The 2017 Rookie of the Year has an extensive injury history, but his steady numbers (15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists for his career) and nine years of experience could make for a solid addition to the roster.
Finally, while Cam Payne and Landry Shamet are not elite-quality role-players, they each bring their own skills to the table. For Payne, it’s fearless scoring and a steady handle on the ball. Landry Shamet has similar advantages as a catch-and-shoot scorer who can move without the ball.
With their core intact and expectations sky-high, the Timberwolves know that every roster spot matters, especially when it comes to guard depth in a conference stacked with elite backcourts. Whether they go with a familiar face like Bones Hyland or a proven vet like Malcolm Brogdon, this final decision could help stabilize their rotation and serve as the missing piece in their championship pursuit.
If Minnesota is serious about taking the next step, finding the right guard to support Mike Conley and Rob Dillingham will be a necessity.
