longstrangetrip wrote:monsterpile wrote:longstrangetrip wrote:monsterpile wrote:Interesting per Woj.
"Muhammad turned down better paying offers that included the bi-annual and room exception to return to a potentially playoff-bound Minnesota team and return to free agency in 2018 with the option of Minnesota re-signing him to a longer team deal, sources said. The Timberwolves could be more limited next summer in the players they can acquire in free agency, and owning Muhammad's Bird Rights could make him the team's most viable long-term option."
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20684254/guard-shabazz-muhammad-returning-minnesota-timberwolves
Interesting indeed. I'm both surprised and happy about this news. Surprised becasue Muhammad is an LA guy with a lot of pride, and I thought he would think he wasnt appreciated enough here. Happy because he is a proven scorer and by all reports a good teammate, and we badly needed wing depth. Nice job, Thibs!
Well if he didn't think he was appreciated here...then he fielded offers from teams for months that were very likely all less (both in money and length) than what the Wolves offered. I've kept saying why not go back to the team that offered you the most money twice? It's not like Thibs didn't play him last year either. 20mpg isn't a ton but me was always in the rotation though even when he was really struggling early. This will be Bazz's first time playing for the same coach in consecutive years and had his most efficient season last year. If he plays well he has some decent leverage on the Wolves because they have limited means to add players. He also knows what the market is like out there and it's going to be even more brutal come next July so he will probably take anything that's remotely reasonable.
Yeah, I get that monster. But I'm just going by things that Muhammad has said. He is quick to say he sees himself as a starter in the league, and even an All Star...you never here him spout the clichés about how he's just glad to contribute in any way the coaches see fit. It would follow that he might believe that the Wolves' belief that he is a reserve (from 3 head coaches at that!) is the only thing keeping him from being a star. And a belief like that would lead a guy like Shabazz to think a fresh start with a team that might see him as a starter is the best thing for his career. Who knows...likely no team was willing to make that commitment, and Bazz came back to a familiar situation where he feels comfortable he can at least get 20 MPG. Whatever the reason, I'm glad to have him back.
Actually Bazz has said those cliches in the past I remember him saying it the most down the stretch when Sam was the coach. As I have said before I have no issue with him thinking he can be better do more with more opportunity it makes sense as a young productive player. I also think he isn't just about being a starter either it seems like aside from his poor ability to be a guy that plays team ball (more about his skill set and lack thereof) he seems like a good teammate. If Woj is correct and he turned down a little more money to come back that's saying something about what he wants to do for his career.
