Shabazz Muhammad Agrees To Re-Sign With Wolves

[RealGM Wiretap]

Shabazz Muhammad is finalizing a contract to re-sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Muhammad became an unrestricted free agent this offseason but still returned to the Wolves due to a softer than expected market.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

[DoItALL9]

Lucky for the Timberwolves

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[Bentley1225]

I thought the Bulls might sign him to a 1 year, $6-8 million offer.

[12footrim]

Man, should have went to the Pelicans and played for a contract next year. He would have probably started.

[Harry Garris]

I'm shocked no one wanted him. He's a serviceable backup.

[ChokeFasncists]

What a bargain, the Wolves got even better.

Ya, don't understand why the Pels don't want him

[macNcheese3]

An absolute steal

[Roddy B for 3]

Now the Wolves have his bird rights. If he went to NOLA he would have been looking at a modest raise next summer with NOLA or an exemption contract or for one of the few teams with '18 cap space to sign him.

Taking the minimum this year places him in a better position for '18 summer... If the Twolves want to operate over the cap.

I bet NOLA bid the most they could (same as Minnesota) and Shabaaz went to the team that would have bird rights next summer. It's interesting he didn't get offered more from someone else, however I find it more interesting that Minnesota is becoming a "place" for NBA players. I believe Thibs has done more for the TWolves in his first two offseasons (+1season) than anyone sans KG and Flip.

A historically very poorly run franchise had a summer that was perhaps magnificent enough to lead fans to expect the 2nd greatest year in franchise history with their young core.

[kenwood3333]

Why not the Pelicans? They have an obvious need for shooting.

[NashtyNas]

Why not the Pelicans? They have an obvious need for shooting.

You answered your own question; the Pelicans have a need for outside shooting - not just scoring.
Muhammad is NOT a good outside shooter, never has been. He's a iso scorer that likes to operate in the mid range - something which the Pelicans can't particularly make use of because they need that space for AD and Cousins to operate.

Obviously, Muhammad is still a good player and someone that could've got a lot of minutes on a Pelicans team riddled with injuries. He's not at all an ideal fit though and they're probably better off with a shooting specialist like Casspi now that they've got Allen for the defensive end.

With that said, at the vet min, he's a good signing for anyone. Can't say I didn't see this coming - him and many others overplayed their cards this off-season and a lot of those players were left fending for themselves. I like the kid, so I hope he can make the most of his opportunities this year to cash in next off-season when more teams have money to spend... as long as my Suns stay away from him!

What I find really interesting is how important 3 point shooting is viewed as by a lot of GM's in the past few off-seasons. Guys like Crabbe, Hardaway, Anderson, Leuer, Teletovic etc. etc. got a ton of money despite being specialist 3 point shooters. If Muhammad can improve his stroke even slightly to get to the 35% range, he'll certainly get a big payday next off season.

[mplsfonz23]

He pulled a Sprewell move.

He turned down a 4/40 mil contract. He better hope he gets enough time to get a good contract next year.
If he would play better D he could be a very good player. Unfortunately, he is a very selfish player, and doesn't like to pass the ball. I like the guy for 1.6 mil, for 10 per, not so much.