Training camps are set to begin in a couple of weeks as the NBA offseason is coming to an end. The offseason has been full of ups, downs, and surprises as numerous top players transfer teams like Isaiah Thomas, Gordon Hayward, Jimmy Butler, Paul Milsap, Chris Paul, and Danilo Gallinari. Next season the NBA will also feature new in-game rules along with a new and improve player friendly schedule to minimize resting of players. Here are a couple of NBA updates:
Shabazz Muhammad drawing interest from numerous teams
Shabazz Muhammad entered the NBA in 2013 where he was drafted with the 14th overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 2013 NBA draft, he was then quickly traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with Gorgui Dieng for Trey Burke.
Muhammad will enter his fifth NBA season this offseason, he played all his four seasons in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he has career averages of 9.7 points, 0.1 blocks, 0.3 steals, 0.6 assists, and three rebounds while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 32.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 74.9 percent from the charity stripe.
Eric Pincus of NBA Basketball Insider has reported that a number of NBA teams are interested in Shabazz Muhammad this offseason, these teams are the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Muhammad was represented by Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka but now he is represented by Rich Paul. It seems likely that Muhammad will sign with the Lakers but consider the firepower Minnesota has next season, we can't rule out him re-signing with the Timberwolves.
Pat Connaughton to remain a Blazer
Mike Richman of Oregonian has reported this offseason that the Blazers are going to guarantee Pat Connaughton's contract for next season. He could have been waived by the Portland Blazers a couple of days ago before his 1.4 million dollar NBA contract could be guaranteed. This move relatively finalizes the Blazers roster for next season since they now have 14 guaranteed players on their roster.
Connaughton entered the NBA when he was selected with the 41st overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2015 NBA draft, his draft rights and Mason Plumlee was then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Steve Blake and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23rd pick of the draft that year). In his two seasons in the NBA he has averaged 1.8 points, 0.1 steals, 0.5 steals, and 1.2 rebounds while shooting 41.2 percent from the field, and 40.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 85.7 percent from the charity stripe in 73 games with 6.3 minutes per game. He will be entering his third NBA season this offseason and he could be a solid back up guy if ever someone gets hurt from the core players Portland.
