The Timberwolves are making moves to strengthen their roster, signing rookie Jaylen Clark to a full NBA contract and adding former Nuggets guard Bones Hyland to their lineup.
“I love being in Minnesota, I’m excited,” Clark said. “It feels like I’m officially a part of everything. I can play in the playoffs.”
The 23-year-old Clark is getting a fully guaranteed two-year deal after impressing the team since joining their rotation in late January. He’s been pretty amazing from long range, hitting 44% of his three-pointers this month.
What makes Clark’s story even more remarkable? He missed all of last season with a torn Achilles.
“It’s a long process, man. I don’t wish that on nobody,” Clark said about his recovery. “It doesn’t really feel like you’re going anywhere until the weeks, months and a year goes by.”
Since getting back on the court, he’s been a defensive force. Opponents are shooting just 41% when he’s guarding them.
His best game came against Houston on February 6, when he dropped 17 points.
The Wolves aren’t done dealing. They’re also bringing in Bones Hyland on a two-way contract – a move that reunites him with Wolves president Tim Connelly, who drafted him in Denver.
Hyland, 24, has had an interesting journey this season. He played 20 games for the Clippers, averaging 7.2 points in just 11 minutes per game. He’s been shooting lights out from three-point range, hitting a career-best 38.8% of his shots from deep.
The 6-foot-2 guard was recently caught up in the NBA trade deadline shuffle. The Clippers sent him to Atlanta in the Terance Mann-Bogdan Bogdanovic trade, but the Hawks let him go.
Now he’s getting a fresh start in Minnesota, where he’ll try to help the Wolves continue their strong season.
The team’s next test comes Thursday night when they face the Lakers in Los Angeles, part of their four-game road trip.
