Why OKC Big Man Mike Muscala Could see Action in First Game Back with the Thunder
On Saturday, the Oklahoma City Thunder officially announced their addition of Mike Muscala after the well-traveled big man was waived by the Detroit Pistons.
Muscala spent three full seasons with the Thunder, playing in 43 games for OKC in 2022-23 before being traded to the Boston Celtics. In 168 career games with Oklahoma City, Muscala made seven starts and averaged seven points and three rebounds per game while shooting over 39% from beyond the arc.
Listed at 6-foot-10, Muscala provides the floor spacing that helps Mark Daigneault's system thrive, similar to Chet Holmgren or Jaylin Williams. While the three aforementioned players all have a different play style, they each provide enough perimeter shooting ability to open up the Thunder's offense.
With Williams listed as OUT on the injury report for Sunday's matchup against the Suns, Muscala could earn minutes as OKC's backup big man in Phoenix.
Being a solid 3-point shooter, Muscala can help the team's offense continue to operate smoothly in the second unit when Holmgren is off the floor.
While the 11-year veteran may not have the same defensive skill that Williams provides, he fits the Thunder's offense enough to not be a liability on the floor. Additionally, at 6-foot-10, Muscala should help Oklahoma City with its rebounding struggles.
During his 32 games in both Detroit and Washington this season, the Bucknell product's numbers took a major dip. Still, surrounded by a better group of players working in an efficient system, Muscala should be taking more open shots in OKC than his previous two stops.
Even though a player like Gordon Hayward has taken time to figure out his role in the Modern Frontier, this shouldn't be an issue for Muscala, who played for Mark Daigneault, Sam Presti and company just last season.
Not only does Muscala already know the Thunder's scheme and system, but he has already built relationships with most of the other players on the roster.
With Bismack Biyombo also on the team, OKC could turn to the 13-year veteran in Williams' absence if Muscala still needs time to get acclimated.
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