MARCH 2: Muscala has officially signed with the Thunder, the team announced today in a press release.
MARCH 1: Veteran center Mike Muscala intends to sign with the Thunder for the rest of the season after he clears waivers on Friday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). Muscala was bought out and placed on waivers by the Pistons on Wednesday.
The move represents a reunion for the two sides, as Muscala played in Oklahoma City from 2019-23. He initially joined the team as a free agent in 2019, then re-signed in ’21 and again in ’22 before being sent to Boston at last season’s trade deadline.
Muscala appeared in 168 games during his initial run with the Thunder, averaging 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per contest. He’s a big man who is capable of stretching the floor, having made 37.6% of his career three-point attempts, including 39.2% during his three-and-a-half seasons in OKC.
After being traded from the Celtics to the Wizards in the three-team deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Boston last summer, Muscala began this season in D.C. and then was on the move again in January when the Wizards dealt him to Detroit.
In 37 total games for the two lottery-bound Eastern Conference clubs prior to this week’s buyout, the 32-year-old averaged 3.8 PPG and 2.8 RPG in 13.8 MPG. Although Muscala’s three-point percentage on the season is just 31.8%, that number has been on the rise in recent weeks — he made 38.2% of his attempts from beyond the arc in 13 games with the Pistons.
The Thunder have an open spot on their 15-man roster, so they won’t need to cut anyone to make room for Muscala.
It will be the second move made in recent weeks by the team to bolster its frontcourt — Oklahoma City also added Bismack Biyombo via free agency last month. Biyombo and Muscala will provide depth and bring different skill sets to a frontcourt led by Rookie of the Year candidate Chet Holmgren.
I wish him luck, he plays hard!
I so knew he would do this. His family likely never moved as well. This is a good pick up.
Muscala will sit and watch. Welcome home.
Don’t watch OKC much. They have been consistent this yr. This gives them more depth. Always a good move imo. Are Thunder ready for playoffs ……??
Is this the yr they become a contender ?
He knows the system and it is good to have a big body to stretch the floor. Hopefully he can make opponents rebounding a bit tougher.
my dog and i met muscala at a comcast store in philly when he filled in for another sixer for an appearance and we all took photos together. nice guy
link to instagram.com
The thunder desperately needed more shooting, Muscala will be a great addition
Love it!