As the rebuilding process continues for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team being involved in trade talks is inevitable and one of the players the organization seems to be interested in is Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad.
In a report by Lakers Nation, Darren Wolfson of KSTP TV mentioned in a tweet that the Lakers along with the Brooklyn Nets are interested in Muhammad, but the Timberwolves will unlikely be dealing away the third-year player soon.
According to the report, the Lakers' interest in Muhammad has something to do with the team's depth at the small forward position since franchise star Kobe Bryant and veteran Metta World Peace are nearing the end of their playing careers.
The Lakers have a young small forward in 2015 second round pick Anthony Brown, but the latter only played in three games this season before being sent to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the National Basketball Association Developmental League (NBA D-League).
Brown may have the chance to return to the Lakers roster and take over the small forward position once the veterans leave the game; but if the Lakers succeed in trading for Muhammad, it assures them an already established player at the number three position.
Currently this season, Muhammad's production and minutes dropped from last season with the emergence of 2014 number one overall pick Andrew Wiggins.
In 21 games played so far all coming off the bench, the 23-year-old forward is averaging 8.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 17.4 minutes of action per contest.
Last season, Muhammad was having a great year averaging 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 22.8 minutes played per outing.
But his 2014–15 season abruptly ended due to a finger injury that required surgery, limiting him to only 38 games which included 13 starts.
Muhammad is just 23 years old and is a part of Minnesota's budding young core which is showing great potential this year; such is why it is unlikely that he would leave the team in this stage of his career.
