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New York Knicks: Pros and Cons of potentially signing Shabazz Muhammad

By Maxwell Ogden

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 28: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves takes a shot against Zaza Pachulia #27 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on February 28, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 28: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves takes a shot against Zaza Pachulia #27 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on February 28, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 08: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at the Barclays Center on November 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 08: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at the Barclays Center on November 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Pro: Athleticism

This is an admittedly broad statement, but the New York Knicks need athletes along the perimeter. While Shabazz Muhammad is far from a consistent defender, he fits the bill of what the organization needs at the 2 and 3 spots.

By signing Muhammad, the Knicks—No. 24 in fast break points per game—would be adding an athletic scorer who can consistently exploit the opposition in transition.

Muhammad has the lower and upper body strength to throw himself into defenders and emerge victorious. That’s an appealing reality when one considers the fact that New York needs a perimeter player who can consistently get to the rim.

That combination of power and explosiveness enabled Muhammad to shoot 67.1 percent in the restricted area in 2016-17—6.0 percent better than the league average.

Muhammad doesn’t drive quite as often as he’s capable of driving, but he makes a killing as a small forward in the low post. On the opposite end of the floor, the potential exists for Muhammad to utilize his athletic gifts to develop into a quality defender.

As evidenced by his career average of 5.1 free throw attempts per 36 minutes—context: limited touches—Muhammad has the physical tools to overwhelm opponents.