After signing a two-year, $3.3 million deal (player option) with the Minnesota Timberwolves, things have not gone according to plan for Shabazz Muhammad during the 2017-18 NBA season. Since the start of December, Muhammad is no longer a part of head coach Tom Thibodeau's rotation and is averaging 4.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 22 appearances.
Along with no playing time, it appears the fifth-year forward turned down a significant amount of money. According to Zach Harper of FanRag Sports, Muhammad rejected a four-year, $40 million contract extension prior to the 2016-17 season:
He turned down a four-year, $40 million extension before the 2016-17 season. Sources say Muhammad believed a strong year plus a crazy flow of free-agency money would lead to him commanding as much as $20 million per season in his next deal.
Prior to the contract extension offer, the 25-year-old was coming off a solid 2015-16 season where he averaged 10.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. While he was betting on himself and believed he could make $20 million per season, it has not worked out for him under the current circumstances.
At this point, it is unclear if Muhammad will have a role with the Timberwolves for the remainder of the season. With him having a player option for the 2018-19 season, it will be interesting to see if he bets on himself again in free agency.
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