Should Mike Muscala exercise his player option for the OKC Thunder?
After signing with the OKC Thunder last season Mike Muscala has a player option in his contract, should he exercise it?
Mike Muscala signed on with the OKC Thunder during the tumultuous offseason which saw Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Jerami Grant all find new homes. The team offered Muscala an option to get out due to the landscape being so different to when he signed. He chose to stay.
Coach Billy Donovan tried to use Muscala as a stretch five option at the start of the season. Unfortunately, Muscala shot the ball so poorly that he had to be benched. This meant that defensive specialist Nerlens Noel won the backup five role.
Muscala, however, remained a tremendous bench presence. He supported the team’s success and did all the things you want from your deep bench players. Better still, when he got his groove back he gave Donovan a tremendous floor-spacing big man who gave everything of himself every play.
How Mike Muscala embodies the next man up attitude for the OKC Thunder
One stretch that comes to mind is when both Steven Adams and Nerlens Noel were out with injury. Muscala, who had just been cleared to play was the starting center for a team battling for seeding in a tough Western Conference.
The result was incredible. In the first game, he played just shy of 28 minutes. Muscala collected 14 points, three rebounds, and an assist. He shot the ball well, going 4-of-8 from deep and 5-of-11 from the floor.
https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1295865473469280256?s=20
The second game he collected 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal in just under 24 minutes. His shooting was even better, going 3-of-6 from the floor and 4-of-8 from the floor. Unfortunately, this effort was not enough for the win like it was the first game.
Why Mike Muscala exercises his player option.
There are a few reasons Muscala exercises his player option. One is that he has the potential to gain more playing time next year depending on who is appointed as the team’s new head coach. He also could lose out but that is a risk you have to take.
Secondly, his best friend in basketball, Dennis Schroder, is playing on the same team. It is one thing to have chemistry with a team. It is another to have a close mate to play the game with, the enjoyment of each others success makes the grind of the season more bearable.
Muscala is going to be 30 during the next season, so he is in the second half of his career. If he tries to see his value on the open market, he is not going to get paid much more. Muscala has already played in four destinations in his seven-year career.
There is no point in packing himself up for a fifth destination when he is not going to get much more money. Muscala has the chance to carve out a niche with the OKC Thunder with the potential for a longer-term deal, particularly now that he has his shot back.
Why Mike Muscala does not exercise his team option
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This team is going to be rebuilding over the next few seasons. They did well this year but it is hard to see the Thunder bringing the same roster back. There is a good chance that the Thunder is going to lose more than they win this season and losing is not fun.
There is going to be a lack of security as to the game plan under the new coach. Muscala may get buried even deeper into a bench on a team that is not being successful. While guaranteed money is good, Muscala loves to play.
Does Mike Muscala exercise his team option?
The answer to this has to be yes. Muscala has played a season with the OKC Thunder and appeared to have a good time with the team. He has a true bond with Schroder which leads to on-court chemistry which is a joy to watch.
Muscala has made a tremendous career for himself since being taken with the 44th pick of the 2013 draft. When he is happy in a situation he tends to stay, just look at the four and a half seasons he played with the Atlanta Hawks.
As mentioned earlier, he was given the chance of leaving the Thunder after he signed the initial contract due to the massive roster turnover and declined it. With a year of playing for the franchise, it is unlikely that he will not exercise the option this season.