NBA Rumors: Shabazz Muhammad has requested out of Minnesota

SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 05: Shabazz Muhammad
SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 05: Shabazz Muhammad

NBA Rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad has reportedly requested that he be traded or released by the NBA trade deadline

With the NBA trade deadline quickly approaching, there is expected to be significant player movement over the next few days.

One team, however, that had been relatively quiet over the last couple weeks – even with the looming trade deadline – was the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves are looking more and more like the third best team in the Western Conference, and seem to be coming together at the right time.

That’s not enough for Shabazz Muhammad, though. Muhammad, who has seen his role with the team decrease significantly this season, has asked the Wolves to either trade or release him by the trade deadline.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

"[via ESPN]Out of the rotation and clearly out of Minnesota Timberwolves president and coach Tom Thibodeau’s plans, guard Shabazz Muhammad has requested to the franchise that it move or waive him before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, league sources told ESPN."

Not counting his rookie season, Muhammad is averaging a career worst nine minutes per contest. He’s also only averaging four points per game this season. Muhammad has only appeared in eight of the team’s last 18 game and averaging just six minutes per contest since the turn of the new year.

Muhammad re-signed with the Timberwolves last summer on a one-year deal, and it’s pretty clear that he’s had enough. He now knows enough where he feels he deserves – and needs – a fresh start somewhere else. And if he and the Timberwolves both know that already, there really isn’t much use of him sticking on the roster for the remainder of the year.

And if Minnesota can get a pick or expiring contract in exchange for Muhammad, it’s worth seeing what can be had on the open market.

Muhammad’s best season of his career came in 2014-15, when he averaged 14 points and four rebounds for the Timberwolves. During that season, Muhammad averaged 49 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from 3-point range. Since then, however, he’s had three straight disappointing statistical seasons.