Mike Muscala re-signs in OKC, saves Thunder money this season

The Oklahoma City Thunder are in for a relatively quiet offseason, on paper. After a surprising NBA Draft Day trade to grab Ousmane Dieng, selecting their next franchise cornerstone in Chet Holmgren with the 2nd overall pick, and two players who share the same namesake, Free Agency would not be a point of emphasis for OKC as the team now operates over the salary cap, after being below the cap floor last season. After declining Mike Muscala’s 3.5-million dollar team option earlier this week, many feared the veteran stretch five would be skipping town.

Instead, even after having his 3.5-million dollar team option declined to make Mike Muscala an unrestricted free agent, Muscala returned to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a one-year veteran minimum pact.

Mike Muscala re-signs with the Oklahoma City Thunder after having his team option declined, in a money-saving move for the Thunder on the eve of Muscala’s birthday

Instead of paying Mike Muscala 3.5-million dollars on an expiring contract for the 2022-23 NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have reached an agreement on a 1.8-million dollar deal for his age 31 season.

Muscala will hit unrestricted free agency next summer when the Oklahoma City Thunder have a ton of cap flexibility even after signing Lu Dort to a massive contract extension.

Mike Muscala could have netted this same deal, or perhaps better, from a title or at least a playoff-contending team around the NBA. Muscala shot 43 percent from distance last year and has only shot below league average once in his NBA career.

Rather than being an end-of-rotation player for a contender, the 6’11 sharpshooter elected to stay in Oklahoma City to help mentor the young players and get this rebuild over the hump. Muscala has made it known how much he loves this organization and community, and it shows with this re-commitment.

Mike Muscala can provide veteran leadership on and off the floor for Oklahoma City this season, especially stabilizing the scoring on the second unit, and helping out young playmakers.