The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in former UCLA standout Shabazz Muhammad, according to veteran NBA Insider Darren Wolfson. The 24-year old Muhammad is also being linked to the New Orleans Pelicans and the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he played his first four seasons in the league.
Shabazz Muhammad, to rejoin former agent?
The Lakers look to add another young player to their roster before the start of training camp. Muhammad, the no.14 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, averaged 9.9 points on 48.2 percent FG shooting in roughly 20 minutes of play with the Wolves last season.
Minnesota renounced their bird rights on Muhammad in order to create room for Taj Gibson’s contract ($28 million over 2 years) this summer. The Wolves are still hopeful they could retain Muhammad’s service, but the Lakers have now emerged as the favorites because of the player’s connection to the team’s current general manager Rob Pelinka.
Muhammad was one of the several players Pelinka previously handled during his time as an agent. Several rival agents even predicted that the Lakers GM would have an unfair advantage in signing his former clients.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report confirmed that Muhammad also has interest in signing with the Lakers. Los Angeles can still offer their $4.3 million mid-level exceptions to Muhammad or the veteran’s minimum of $2.2 million.
LeBron implication on KCP Deal
LeBron James’ upcoming free-agency next summer played a huge role in the Lakers’ decision to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, NBA writer Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported.
“Multiple league sources suggested to ESPN that a major motivating factor in the Lakers’ signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a one-year, $18 million deal this offseason was because Caldwell-Pope is repped by Rich Paul, the same agent as James.”
LeBron will be entering the second year of the 3-year, $100 million deal with the Cavaliers.
He has a player’s option for the third year, though he’s widely expected to opt out and become a free agent. The Lakers, projected to have around $70 million in cap space to spend after this season, are attempting to build a rapport with Caldwell-Pope’s representatives before James hits the market.
Pelinka and Lakers’ president of basketball operation Magic Johnson has their eyes set on forming a super-team consists of James, Paul George and possibly Russell Westbrook next summer.
In a separate report, Pincus stated that LeBron would want to play alongside the reigning NBA MVP if he ever joins the Lakers. “Whispers around the NBA suggest James would love to team up with the explosive guard.”
