Shabazz Muhammad still hopes to be a Wolves starter

After the Wolves finished practice Thursday, interim head coach Sam Mitchell once again hung the proverbial carrot in front of Shabazz Muhammad.

Just a few feet away Muhammad, chiseled at 6-6 and 217 pounds, was taking extra shots. He was one of the last players on the court. And Mitchell was asked about the energy Muhammad might bring off the bench.

"I'm not going to say that," Mitchell started. "Right now it's too early to pigeonhole a guy to a position. We're still very high on Shabazz. Time will tell. … He still has the opportunity to be a starter one day."

But when?

Mitchell's decision to move Andrew Wiggins to shooting guard would appear to thin the field at small forward, where veteran Tayshaun Prince is currently the starter. Mitchell has said he likes the idea of Muhammad bringing his energy off the bench with a second unit along with scorer Kevin Martin.

To Muhammad, starting is always the goal. But right now, any playing time will do.

"I've been wanting to have that starting role for a while now," he said. "I've been working hard, been in the gym extra. I'm going to be ready."

Muhammad is one of several young Wolves looking to make a big jump.

After limited playing time as a rookie in the 2013-14 season, Muhammad spent a good portion of his offseason with Frank Matrisciano, a trainer known for his intense, unorthodox methods.

In the best shape of his life, Muhammad was ready when injuries gave him an opportunity. In a 20-game stretch starting Nov. 30, Muhammad averaged 17.7 points and 5.1 rebounds.

His in-game intensity was striking, and his quickness allowed him to do things inside that belied his size. Muhammad had eight games with 20 or more points in that stretch. But on Jan. 9 he sustained an oblique injury and was lost for a month. Shortly after his return, Muhammad got his left middle finger caught in a jersey, and the resulting injury ultimately required surgery, ending his season.

Perhaps because he wasn't playing, Muhammad's weight went up. He said he got as high as 235 pounds in the summer, though some felt he got bigger than that. But 11 more weeks in California with Matrisciano has Muhammad back in shape.

"I feel really quick out there," he said. "But now I have to stay healthy this year."

That and broaden his game. Muhammad said he has been working on rebounding and ballhandling. He said he has tried to learn all he can about defense from Prince.

"To Shabazz's credit, he works hard," Mitchell said. "I think he played very well in the last game. Hopefully it's something he can build off."

Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, Muhammad scored 18 points — making all 11 of his free throws — with five rebounds and four assists in 25-plus minutes. Numbers like that certainly will lead to more time once the regular season begins Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

As for starting? For now he's happy just playing regular minutes.

"I think my energy can provide a boost to the starting lineup, but I can have a spark off the bench, too," he said. "It's Coach's decision, and I'm OK either way. It's just about me staying focused, being locked in on defense, staying after practice, getting extra shots. I hope last game will carry over to tomorrow. I'll go out and give the energy our team needs.''