Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad was in contact with his agent for much of the day Monday.

It was the last day for fourth-year player extensions to get done, and Muhammad said it was a back-and-forth ordeal. He said he thought a deal was “a little close” to happening, but nothing came to fruition.

Muhammad will now be a restricted free agent this summer. That doesn’t mean he’s a lock to leave Minnesota. The Timberwolves will have the opportunity to keep Muhammad by matching any offer sheet he signs this summer, and Minnesota is still where Muhammad wants to stay.

“I love it here and want to be here long-term,” Muhammad said before Tuesday night’s home opener against Memphis, “so we’ll see what goes down.”

Muhammad said he was happy for Wolves center Gorgui Dieng, who did complete a four-year extension to stay in Minnesota, but he wasn’t disappointed he wasn’t able to strike a deal. Related Articles Timberwolves head into team bubble excited to spend time together, on and off the court

Charley Walters: Vikings come out ahead in Ngakoue-Griffen swap

Timberwolves-Lynx initiative to get out the vote is latest attempt to impact change

Jace Frederick: Timberwolves’ No. 1 pick likely not enough to trade for established star

“I’m still confident,” he said. “Coach (Tom Thibodeau) is still confident in me.”

Through two games, Muhammad was only averaging 12.5 minutes per game, well down from the 20-plus minutes he averaged the past two seasons. But Muhammad feels like he’s been productive in his limited opportunities.

“Last game it was really well. I got my teammates involved and played hard and got rebounds and scored the ball while I was in there. So I’m pretty confident, like I said. I’m just going to do all the right things that I have to do for us to win.”

The better Muhammad, and Minnesota, plays, the larger Muhammad’s price will likely be this offseason.

“That’s the goal,” Muhammad said. “I think we’re going to win a lot of games, even though we’re 0-2 right now, but that’s the beginning of the season and we’re a really good team. We’ve just got to know that when we’re out there and I think everything will take care of itself.”

No timetable for Rubio’s return

Ricky Rubio is out “indefinitely” with his sprained right elbow.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he will be out for an extended period of time, but it does mean there’s no timetable for his return.

“We have to give it a few days to let everything calm down, then take another look at it,” Thibodeau said. “Just be patient, let him work his way through it and we’ll go from there.”

Rookie point guard Kris Dunn started Tuesday night in Rubio’s absence. Tyus Jones was the first point guard off the bench. He played extended minutes in the first half and produced with two points and three assists in the half.

“Just got to be ready to go in there and help the team out in any way possible,” Jones said. “Opportunity for me and other guys to step up, as well. One man (goes) down, everyone else has to pick up their role and fill in where necessary.”

First-quarter feasting

The Timberwolves led Memphis 29-16 after the first quarter. That continued a trend of strong starts for Minnesota.

The Wolves are averaging 31.4 points per game in the opening quarter through three games while shooting 61 percent.

Youth reigns

Dunn’s start for Rubio meant Minnesota started four players who were 22 or younger: Kris Dunn, 22; Zach LaVine, 21; Andrew Wiggins, 21; and Karl-Anthony Towns, 20.

That marks the third time in franchise history the Timberwolves featured such a roster, with the other two occurrences coming in 2007.

The only starter Tuesday who is older than 22 was Gorgui Dieng, 26.