Report: Shabazz Muhammad to sign with Bucks, after being waived by Minnesota

What's the story?

Shabazz Muhammad, the fifth-year player, has agreed to a buyout with the Minnesota Timberwolves and is expected to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks.

In case you didn't know

Muhammad signed with the Timberwolves this past offseason for a 2-year $3,372,245 hoping to get a decent role off the bench. Instead, he has received a DNP in 32 of the team's past 43 games, averaging 9.4 minutes per game.

Heart of the matter

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported about Muhammad and the Timberwolves mutually agreeing to a contract buyout late on Thursday night. A couple of hours later, Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania first reported that he would be signing with the Milwaukee Bucks.

From his previous seasons in the league, there is clear proof that Muhammad is a legit scorer off the bench and that's probably what's got him some interest from Milwaukee. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves, who could use a bench, have not played him a lot. In the 32 games that he has played so far, Muhammad has averaged just 3.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.4 minutes.

Muhammed would serve as a pretty good small ball center for the Bucks, in addition to his offense which Milwaukee's second unit desperately needs. The Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Bucks are dead last in the league (25.5 points) in terms of bench production. It would take Muhammad some time to get back into some rhythm, give that he's only played in 32 of the team's 64 games this season.

What's next?

The Bucks have lost four of their last five games and don't have a lot of easy games of the remaining 21 games. Their tough stretch begins on Friday night at home against the Indiana Pacers.

Author's Take

As mentioned earlier, the Bucks need some lift from their reserves but surely, it will take Muhammad sometime before he can be a reliable rotation player off the bench for them. This agreement is mutually benefitting as well. Muhammad would be eager to earn more than $1.79 million, which he is slated to earn next season in case he was to exercise his player option that is available.