Wolves converting Clark to standard deal, signing Hyland to 2-way contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves are promoting rookie guard Jaylen Clark from a two-way contract to a standard, fully guaranteed two-year deal, Clark's agent told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Minnesota will then sign free-agent guard Bones Hyland into its open two-way contract slot, Charania adds, citing Hyland's agent.

Clark, the 53rd overall pick in 2023, played himself into the Timberwolves' rotation over the last month, averaging 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 13 consecutive games while playing 19.8 minutes. In that same stretch, he shot 44% from three on 2.1 attempts per game and impressed with his defense.

Clark scored a season-high 17 points in just under 19 minutes against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 6, shooting 4-of-6 from distance as part of a 13-point Minnesota win.

Before his games-played streak began Jan. 29, the UCLA product only made four previous appearances this season for a total of 10 minutes earlier in January. He did not play in 2023-24 while recovering from a torn Achilles he sustained in his final regular-season appearance in college.

Hyland, 24, opened the season with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Atlanta Hawks waived him after he was traded along with Terance Mann for Bogdan Bogdanovic at the deadline. He played just 71 games over two-and-a-half years in L.A., averaging 7.8 points.

Hyland was drafted 26th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2021 and scored 10.1 points per game as a rookie. In Minnesota, he reunites with president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, who was in charge of the Nuggets' front office when the team selected Hyland.