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Orlando Magic Rumors: Orlando Magic showed interest in Shabazz Muhammad

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 1: Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks with Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 1, 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 1: Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks with Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 1, 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic are close to done with free agency. But there are still a few players left, and they reportedly showed interest in Shabazz Muhammad.

The offseason for the Orlando Magic is essentially over. The team has 13 roster spots filled and a roster full of rotation-caliber players or young players who need some time. The Magic are not likely to do a whole lot more.

That does not mean Orlando cannot do anything more. The team still has its room mid-level exception worth about $4.3 million it can spend. The Magic also has about $2.5 million in cap room left to spend, according to various estimates.

If Orlando wanted to make one more move to round out the roster, the team certainly could.

So a stray rumor for one of the big free agents left on the board is not totally out of the question. And the one rumor that does not seem prepared to go away is one that surfaced last week.

Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype reports the Magic were one of the teams who showed interest in Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad, confirming a report last week from Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.

What is unclear from this report is how serious the Magic’s interest in him is and whether that interest remains now that the team has signed Jonathon Simmons.

Muhammad is considered one of the best free agents remaining on the market. He has not lived up to the hype of his high school days, when he was largely regarded as the top high school prospect. In four years with the Timberwolves, he has struggled to find his footing. He largely came off the bench and averaged 9.9 points per game on a 52.3 percent effective field goal percentage.

Muhammad never developed as a consistent 3-point shooter and that limited what he could do on the court. He was never a strong defender either. It is hard to see how he fits the Magic’s profile. It is also hard to see how he differs much from Jonathon Simmons.

Still, the Magic need scorers and need someone who can create his own shot. While Muhammad is not going to be able to stretch the floor, he can certainly still do that.

The question for the Magic is whether he fits their needs. His play style is somewhat similar to Simmons, whom the Magic signed Saturday to a three-year deal. It seems unlikely the Magic are chasing after a player like Muhammad anymore, although they may have had interest previously.

President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said the Magic’s roster is pretty much full. But he added the team would look for ways to continue improving the team. He noted shooting was still a vital need for the team.

Next: Orlando Magic may be away, but they are keeping busy

If the Magic are going to make any more big moves, it will likely have an eye on filling that need. Muhammad just does not fit.