Shabazz Muhammad becomes an unrestricted free agent

After four years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Shabazz Muhammad is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

After being drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2013, then soon after getting traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on a draft night trade, Shabazz Muhammad is now an unrestricted free agent.

Going into the off-season, he was a restricted free agent. But, the Wolves have pulled their qualifying offer.

As Chris Haynes an ESPN reporter reports:

This means that instead of holding onto the qualifying offer, the Wolves are allowing him to sign anywhere without holding the rights to him. Muhammad can now sign anywhere without having the Wolves deciding whether they want to keep him.

The 24-year old averaged 9.9 points a game and shot 33 percent from deep last season.

This may be good for both sides, as he lacks defense and struggles to pass the ball. With a lot of talented players who demand the ball, he would not be the best option as he doesn’t seem to pass the ball.

Not only will he be lagged behind all the offensive talent on this team, Muhammad may be better fit somewhere else where he can earn a bit more money and have a lot more playing time. Possibly helping his development and understanding of the game to become a complete player.

Minnesota will miss his bench play due to the fact that he did score practically half their bench scoring. However, with a lot of talented players on this team, mostly coming from the starting lineup – the Wolves need bench help.

With little money left to spend after signing Teague and Gibson, the team will need to make some more moves in order to improve the bench.

Removing Aldrich would greatly help this team’s financial issue, due to the fact that he doesn’t play or help out the team in a way that is worth $7 million a season. Not to mention that the Wolves are interested in Rudy Gay, which could be sent to Sacramento in a sign and trade.

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Either way, the Wolves have let Muhammad go in hopes to enter a “win-now” stage. This can be a good thing for both sides. The only issue so far is upgrading the  bench with little money to spend.