Shabazz “Bazz” Muhammad severely overestimated the future of the NBA’s market and ended up losing himself a lot of money, reports Zach Harper of FanRag Sports:
The Muhammad situation has been the weirdest part of the team’s depth problems. While Muhammad isn’t exactly a positive impact player, Minnesota could at least rely on him to score inside, run the floor and crash the glass. He could generate big scoring games off the bench from time to time that way. He turned down a four-year, $40 million extension before the 2016-17 season. Sources say Muhammad believed a strong year plus a crazy flow of free-agency money would lead to him commanding as much as $20 million per season in his next deal. But severely misreading the market led to Muhammad deciding between trying to join the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year deal or coming back to the Wolves. He decided to return to Minnesota for another go.
Fast-forward a little over a year, and Muhammad is probably feeling pretty regretful about turning down that offer. Also, the Timberwolves are probably relieved he didn’t take it. Now on a minimum contract, Muhammad is having by far the worst season of his career.
Now 25 years old and in his fifth year in the league, he should be reaching his prime. Instead, he’s playing just 11.4 minutes per game, the lowest since his rookie season. He’s averaging four points and 1.7 rebounds per game and is posting career-low shooting numbers from the field (38.5 percent) and from 3-point range (21.1 percent).
Muhammad has received DNP-CDs in his last four games, and deservedly so.
For his career, Muhammad averages 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game on .471/.317/.748 shooting.
