Inside The Celtics

Celtics Add Shooting, Center Depth in Trade for Mike Muscala

Unpacking the Celtics' trade for Mike Muscala and what might come next for Boston.

Bobby Krivitsky

Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

The Celtics' trade for Mike Muscala signals what's likely a quiet trade deadline for Boston, who are possibly done for the day and onto the buyout market.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Celtics are sending Justin Jackson and two second-round picks to the Thunder in exchange for the veteran, floor-spacing center.

According to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, the Celtics are sending their 2029 second-round pick and the worse of their two second-round selections this year to Oklahoma City.

Muscala, now in his tenth season, is averaging 6.2 points per game while taking 3.3 threes per contest and converting them at a 39.4 percent clip. The six-foot-ten, 240-pound center is also grabbing 3.1 rebounds in his 14.5 minutes of playing time.

He's under contract for $3.5 million this season and has a club option worth the same amount for the 2023-24 campaign.

In Muscala, Boston acquires a low-cost option who can space the floor, provide a boost from beyond the arc, and fit alongside any of their other big men.

It also seems like a move that hints the Celtics aren't parting with Payton Pritchard and Danilo Gallinari to get a deal done today. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on the eve of the trade deadline Boston was shopping the two, seeing if it could find a move for a center that was worth making.

While the trade for Muscala might be it for the Celtics today, they are one of the most attractive options for players on or who become available on the buyout market.

At 39-16, the Celtics boast the NBA's best record. They also have a $3.23 million disabled player exception the league granted them due to Gallinari's ACL tear.

There's already an intriguing option who might soon find himself on the buyout market, reportedly sharing a mutual interest in coming to Boston.

Further Reading

Celtics Guard Payton Pritchard Addresses Future With Team; Could Trade be Imminent?

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Sixers: Boston's Defense and Ball Movement Propel Hosts to Victory

The Latest on Jaylen Brown's Facial Fracture and How Long He Might Be Out

Celtics Reportedly Shopping Package of Payton Pritchard and Danilo Gallinari

1:1 with Paul Pierce on What the Celtics-Lakers Rivalry Means to Him; Jayson Tatum's Growth, His Evaluation of Boston's Season, and More

A Potential Buyout Target and the Celtics are Reportedly Showing Mutual Interest

Celtics Reportedly Interested in Reunion with Kelly Olynyk

Published
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

Home/Top Stories