NBA Trade Rumors 2017: 3 players the Washington Wizards should target
3. Shabazz Muhammad
The Wizards and Lou Williams have been linked to several NBA trade rumors the past couple of weeks. However, Williams is now off the board as Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical tweets the Houston Rockets are finalizing a trade for Williams.
The Rockets are sending Corey Brewer and a first-round pick to the Lakers for Lou Williams, league source tells @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 22, 2017
When it comes to other sound shooters on the trading block, the Wizards have recently been linked to Minnesota Timberwolves’ Shabazz Muhammad, according to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein.
Washington has shown interest in Minnesota's Shabazz Muhammad, according to league sources, as the Wiz continue to search for bench upgrades
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 22, 2017
The 24-year-old swingman could become an explosive scorer off the Wizards’ bench and help improve a bench that ranks 29th offensively in the NBA.
Despite averaging 19.6 minutes, his lowest since his rookie season, Muhammad is averaging 12.5 points in 22.2 minutes per game over the last 10 games. As a matter of fact, Muhammad’s points per game has increased each month, starting with 6.6 points in Nov, 8.4 points in Dec, 11.4 in Jan, and is averaging 12.8 points in nine Feb games.
There’s no denying Wizards must improve their bench if they expect to make a deep playoff run and Muhammad, who’s numbers have progressed as the season evolves. Besides his pure shooting abilities, the former UCLA star is a high flyer that can amp the Wizards bench. Check out this one-handed slam earlier this season.
Like the rest of the trade scenarios, I’m once again going to throw in Wizards’ center Ian Mahinmi that could kickstart a Timberwolves team that ranks 25th in rebounds and 20th in blocks, per HoopsStats.com.
At first, I tested a trade scenario involving the Wizards sending Mahinmi to the T’Wolves in exchange for Muhammad, but RealGM Trade Checker notified me that the trade would put the Wizards over the cap by more than $100,000 of post-trade Team Salary, which fails to meet the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
So, instead of trading a player, I’ve generated a trade scenario that involves trading a first round pick of the 2017 NBA draft in exchange for Muhammad.
I’d rather not see the Wizards give up a draft pick, especially a first rounder, but Muhammad is just 23 years old with the potential to average close to 20 points per game in two or three years from now.
At 6’6″, Muhammad has the talent to post-up against guards and forwards, along with the ability to blow past defenders and catapult to the rim.
However, Muhammad is set to become a restricted free agent at the conclusion of this season which may make things complex for Grunfeld and the Wizards’ front office.
Next: Wizards showing interest in P.J. Tucker as NBA Trade Deadline nears
As NBA trade rumors really begin to heat up over the next two days, don’t be surprised if an already successful and winning Wizards team don’t make end up making a trade before Thursday’s 3:00 p.m. ET NBA Trade Deadline.