The Wolves this morning have signed former Wolf Lazar Hayward to replace Josh Howard on the roster.

The Wolves selected Hayward very late in the 2010 first round, then traded him to Oklahoma City right before last season.

The Thunder traded him to Houston in the James Harden deal in October and the Rockets quickly waived him.

A 6-6 swingman, he addresses the Wolves need for a defender to back up Andrei Kirilenko at small forward.

They waived Howard earlier this month after he tore his ACL in a game at New Orleans.

The Wolves also worked out James Anderson and Joey Graham last week in auditions for the roster spot.

They still could be signing Hayward for the short term and still pursue a player such as European small forward Mickael Gelabale, who has an NBA out in his Spanish contract until Jan. 30.