After a few months have gone by, it’s been reported that the Los Angeles Clippers still have some interest in trading for Shabazz Muhammad of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
No, this rumor isn’t completely new. Back in December the Los Angeles Clippers appeared as a team interested in Shabazz Muhammad of the Minnesota Timberwolves, a young power wing player who would be a valuable addition. He has good size at 6’6″, athleticism, a strong post game for a perimeter player, and better defense than liabilities such as Jamal Crawford and Paul Pierce. It makes sense the Clippers were interested, and now it’s been reported by Darren Wolfson that that’s still the case.
Newton's first real test: whether to move Shabazz. Hear tonight Blazers, Suns, & Celtics kicking the tires. LAC still too, & more. #twolves
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) February 11, 2016
“Kicking the tires” obviously doesn’t reveal too much. The Clippers may not have made an official offer yet and we can’t know whether or not the Timberwolves are planning on trading Muhammad. However, with L.A.’s previous interest, it looks like they’re still keeping in contact with Minnesota to see what the possibilities are.
Plus, as Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders has reported that the Clippers are talking to teams around the NBA about possible deals, it looks likely that Muhammad is still one of the targets they’re keeping in mind:
"Clippers sources maintain that trading Griffin is not under serious consideration, although the Clippers are talking with teams about deals around the deadline and are continuing to field calls in an attempt to shore up the roster for what they believe is a serious run in the second half of the season."
While players like Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns get most of the attention in the Timberwolves’ upcoming youth movement, Muhammad is still an important piece. Despite not starting a game this season he’s still averaging 20.2 minutes a night, with impressive averages of 17.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per 36 minutes. He’s a powerful finisher at the rim, making 62.7 percent of his shots within three feet of the basket this season, but he lacks consistency from range.
Although, seeing as the Clippers already have plenty of threats in that department, another physical presence and some youth would be a welcome addition.
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It’s unclear who Doc Rivers would offer the Timberwolves, but seeing as Jamal Crawford holds more value than Muhammad due to his ability to provide instant offense, the most likely candidate is still Lance Stephenson. The problem, of course, is whether or not Minnesota would want a player such as Lance who has struggled to prove himself since leaving Indianapolis.
He’s started showing what he’s capable of recently, though, thanks to increased playing time. Over the last seven games in 17.3 minutes a night, he’s averaged 8.3 points on 70.6 percent shooting, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.7 steals per game. Shot selection and his other faults aside, he brings energy, playmaking and defense.
Yet, the value of his talent and potential fit still causes questions, and the team option on his $9 million salary for 2016-17 may not be enough for the Timberwolves to take him onboard.
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We’ll have to wait and see if any more reports emerge. In the meantime, Muhammad could at least be a name to keep an eye on.