{"id":65524,"date":"2024-03-01T12:33:17","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T17:33:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=65524"},"modified":"2024-03-01T12:33:38","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T17:33:38","slug":"nba-news-mike-muscala-joins-western-conference-contender","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/03\/01\/nba-news-mike-muscala-joins-western-conference-contender\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA News: Mike Muscala Joins Western Conference Contender"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just days after agreeing to a buyout with the Detroit Pistons, big man Mike Muscala<\/a> will join a new NBA team–the Oklahoma City Thunder. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Muscala has agreed to a deal to join the Thunder for the rest of the season<\/a>:<\/p>\n

ESPN Sources: After clearing waivers, center Mike Muscala plans to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the rest of the season. Muscala \u2014 who agreed to a buyout with Detroit \u2014 spent 2019-2023 with OKC and returns to bring depth for a postseason run.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This move also comes about a week after the team waived<\/a> center Aleksej Pokusevski<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Muscala initially joined the Thunder as a free agent in 2019. He was a solid backup center for the Thunder before the team traded him to the Boston Celtics at the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline. In his Thunder tenure, Muscala averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds per game. Furthermore, Muscala shot 43.9% from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc with Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n

This season, Muscala played 37 combined games with the Pistons and Washington Wizards.<\/p>\n

Since he was bought out before the NBA Playoffs Buyout Deadline<\/a>, Muscala is eligible for the Thunder’s postseason roster.<\/p>\n

NBA News: Mike Muscala Joins Western Conference Contender<\/h2>\n

What Mike Muscala Brings to the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/h3>\n

The Thunder currently have a 41-18 record and are just one game behind the No. 1 seed Minnesota Timberwolves. Although they appear to be serious title contenders this season, the Thunder needed some reinforcements for a late-season push. Though it is not game-changing, Muscala is an excellent addition to the team.<\/p>\n

Muscala will immediately provide some depth for the Thunder. As it stands, it is likely Muscala will become the team’s immediate backup center behind rookie sensation Chet Holmgren<\/a>. Additionally, Muscala is already familiar with the system and can act as a mentor to Holmgren. Furthermore, due to his playstyle, Muscala can also play power forward. Muscala is a good spot-up perimeter shooter who can help space the floor. However, Muscala is average at best defensively and as a rebounder. Still, as a backup center, a role he is very familiar with, Muscala should provide a boost to the Thunder.<\/p>\n

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“Coming to OKC\u2026 I\u2019m grateful for it. it helped me a lot as a man & as a player\u2026 I’ll always be a Thunder fan & always rooting for the Thunder.”<\/p>\n

happy to have Mike Muscala back! pic.twitter.com\/o9Di5hdAlW<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/GIDTnvc1Sd<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) March 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n