Lakers, Sixers and Nuggets Could Benefit from Acquiring Mike Muscala
Thunder veteran Mike Muscala has quickly come on as one of the top 3-point shooting big men in the league.
Normally, Muscala would be an easy keeper with his ability to space the floor. But with the Thunder in the midst of a rebuild and in the hunt for better draft capital, they have no use for the sharpshooter.
In a limited role, Muscala is averaging 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds, most importantly while shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc.
Last season, he shot a respectable 37 percent on over five attempts per game.
Here are a few teams who should be kicking the tires for Muscala:
Philadelphia 76ers
Bill Streicher / USA TODAY Sports
After struggling with injuries this season, Philadelphia is dangerously close to being a bottom five scoring team.
Plugging Muscala into the Sixers lineup takes some of the pressure off other shooters, and gives the Philadelphia a change-of-pace center next to Joel Embiid.
Philadelphia ranks 18th in 3-point shooting so far this season.
Los Angeles Lakers
[Alonzo Adams]
While the Lakers rank 10th in points per game, they rank just 17th overall in 3-point shooting.
Alongside Russell Westbrook and LeBron James, Muscala would function well as a versatile paint presence.
The ability to spread the floor out and stop clogging the lane could do wonders for a struggling Los Angeles squad.
Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
Isaiah J. Downing / USA TODAY Sports
While the Nuggets have the best center in the NBA in Nikola Jokic, they often times have non-shooting big men on the court with him.
Muscala offers Jokic a different archetype at the power forward position in substitute of Jeff Green and JaMychal Green.
And with a plethora of players sidelined due to injury, Muscala’s veteran presence could be just what the Nuggets need at the moment.
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