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Lakers could sign this former lottery pick that is working out in LA

By Jason Reed

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 20: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the game on January 20, 2018 at the 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 20: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the game on January 20, 2018 at the 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers currently have one more roster spot left to fill for the 2022-23 season. Los Angeles could end up with more roster spots if they conduct a trade that sends out more players than they receive, but either way, the options are limited.

After such a strong Summer League, most fans probably wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of the team simply converting Cole Swider’s two-way contract into a standard contract. However, that might not be the direction the team is looking to take.

The Lakers are working out several veteran free agents to potentially sign this summer. Among the several veteran free agents is former lottery pick, Shabazz Muhammad. Sources told Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype that the former 14th overall pick will work out with the team.

While a workout does not guarantee anything, where there is smoke there is often fire and thus, there is some sliver of a chance that the Lakers could sign Muhammad if he impresses. If that happens it will be bad news for fans.

The Los Angeles Lakers would be foolish to sign Shabazz Muhammad.

Unless Mahammad just completely reinvented his game since the last time we saw him, he is not what the Lakers need. Sure, he is a former lottery pick, but he has never really proven to be anything more than a backend rotation guy.

That might be the only thing left on the market but the team could get so much more potential out of other options (including Swider). This would be an absolute waste of a roster spot for Los Angeles.

Muhammad has not played an NBA game since the 2017-18 season and he was not even that good back then. If he was at least proficient in an area of need it would be one thing but he isn’t. Muhammad was a really bad three-point shooter (31.9% career average) and he could not really defend, either.

There is a reason why Muhammad has missed four seasons in the NBA: he isn’t very good compared to NBA standards. Honestly, while it doesn’t hurt to not leave a single stone unturned, it does seem like a waste of time that the Lakers would even work out Muhammad in the first place.

But hey, the Lakers have one of the best scouting and developing departments in the entire league. If they do potentially see something in Muhammad then that means something is there.

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