After a few days of roster flux where the OKC Thunder have hit the rebuild button, Mike Muscala is exercising his player option for 2020-21.
After being on one of the most fun OKC Thunder squads ever, Mike Muscala has decided to exercise his player option. Muscala stands to earn $2.3 million next season which is the final year of his two-year deal.
Muscala came to the Thunder last season, joining his best friend in basketball, Dennis Schroder. Well, as we are all aware, Schroder has been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers but that did not stop Muscala from committing to the Thunder.
Forward Mike Muscala has exercised his player option to return to Oklahoma City this season, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 19, 2020
Last season Muscala played 47 games, starting two in the bubble. His play in those two games was inspired. Both Steven Adams and Nerlens Noel were out injured and Muscala was coming back from the NBA concussion protocol. He was the embodiment of the next man up mentality.
The OKC Thunder is a good fit for Mike Muscala
Mike Muscala. CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/vrecHtEqK4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 13, 2020
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Muscala averaged 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 12.2 minutes per game. Muscala shot the ball at a respectable 40.7 percent from the floor. He was an excellent 37.8 percent from deep which is incredible when you think how bad he was at the start of the season. Then he got his groove back.
Despite not playing big minutes, Muscala was always up and about, supporting his teammates any way that he could. With the Thunder going into full rebuild mode this season there is no way of knowing what Muscala’s role will be.
The Thunder have traded for Al Horford and drafted Aleksej Pokusevski, both of whom are in direct competition for minutes with Muscala. However, coach Mark Daigneault may decide to keep Horford as the backup center, leaving Muscala with more minutes at power forward.
There is another connection for Muscala here, as he used to play with Horford during their time together with Atlanta Hawks. They will not be as successful this season with the Thunder as they were in Atlanta but their locker room presence is going to be massive for the Thunder next season.