Veteran big man Mike Muscala is signing with the Thunder for the rest of the 2023-23 season

This season, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are 41-18. That’s the second-best file within the Western Convention. Oklahoma Metropolis is simply (1.0) video games behind the Timberwolves within the standings. With 23 video games left, there are usually not many strikes the Thunder could make to noticeably enhance their roster.

That doesn’t imply including some veteran assist for the playoffs is a foul factor. The Thunder are doing simply that with their current signing of massive man Mike Muscala. He’s signed a deal that lands him with OKC for the rest of the 2023-24 season. Muscala was seemingly introduced in to assist in giving the Thunder additional front-court depth.

How will Mike Muscala slot in with the Thunder?

ESPN Sources: After clearing waivers, middle Mike Muscala plans to signal with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder for the remainder of the season. Muscala — who agreed to a buyout with Detroit — spent 2019-2023 with OKC and returns to carry depth for a postseason run. pic.twitter.com/HFvbYwHfuc

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 1, 2024

To begin the 2023-24 season, 32-year-old Mike Muscala was with the Washington Wizards. He performed in 24 video games and made two begins. Earlier than the commerce deadline, Muscala was moved to Detroit the place he performed in 13 video games and made 4 begins. The veteran huge man acquired a buyout from the Pistons and cleared waivers. Oklahoma Metropolis signed Muscala to a contract for the remainder of the season and he’s now in his second stint with the staff.

He beforehand performed 4 seasons for the Thunder and joined the staff as a free agent in 2019-20. The previous second-round choose has performed in 168 profession video games for OKC and has made seven begins. Muscala averaged (7.0) factors and (3.0) rebounds per recreation. His profession three-point proportion with the Thunder was glorious (.392) and he’s made a dwelling off that shot. Groups will all the time look so as to add gamers who can constantly knock down pictures from deep.

Mike Muscala is returning again to Oklahoma Metropolis pic.twitter.com/FAqSCWKsFC

— TF (@ThunderFocus) March 1, 2024

Ideally, Muscala will probably be used as a backup middle behind rookie Chet Holmgren. The staff has been missing a real middle all season and Muscala fills that function properly. OKC had beforehand been utilizing forwards to attempt to fill the minutes when Holmgren was on the bench. They not want to try this with Muscala on the staff. At six-foot-ten, he has the scale and body to be the kind of backup huge man they want. We’ll see how rapidly he can readjust to being again on the Thunder.