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Lakers Rumors: Shabazz Muhammad almost signed in free agency

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 13: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on March 13, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 13: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on March 13, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Shabazz Muhammad returned to the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency, but he was close to joining the Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers rumors are going to pick back up in the coming days. With Media Day on Monday, and training camp beginning after that, there will be plenty of discussions about which players could make the regular season roster. If recent Lakers rumors are true, one of those spots almost went to Shabazz Muhammad.

Muhammad entered free agency for the first time in the NBA this offseason. His market was slow to develop, as he was a restricted free agent. That meant his original team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, could match any offer sheet he agreed to with another team. That offer sheet never came.

Muhammad drew little interest, and eventually, his rights were renounced by the Timberwolves. When that happened, the Lakers were one team that began showing interest.

Muhammad had some connections to the Lakers. He played locally in college, as he attended UCLA. Rob Pelinka, the Lakers current General Manager, was also Muhammad’s agent. That connection had him considering the Lakers.

However, it was not meant to be. Muhammad would return to the Timberwolves on a one-year deal, adding some firepower to their second unit on the wing. John Krawcynski, an NBA writer for the Associated Press, said that Muhammad was very close to not returning to Minnesota and leaving for Los Angeles.

The Lakers interest in Muhammad made sense. He would have provided some scoring on the wing, a place the Lakers have defensive minded players in Luol Deng and Corey Brewer coming off the bench. Rookie Kyle Kuzma could also play some small forward but looks better suited for power forward.

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At only 24-years old, Muhammad would have fit into the Lakers youth movement. He could have potentially been a building block for the organization as a solid role player.

He passed on that opportunity instead opting to stay with a Minnesota team with big aspirations after acquiring Jimmy Butler via trade earlier in the offseason.

The Lakers had the option of offering Muhammad their mid-level exception. It is less money than he was hoping for, but by returning to Minnesota for this season, he could hit it big in free agency in 2018.

Next: 10 Greatest Free Agent Signings In Lakers History

Minnesota now owns his Bird Rights, so he could earn quite a payday next offseason. That would not have been possible had he left Minnesota and signed with the Lakers this offseason.

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