Lakers, Sixers and Nuggets Could Benefit from Acquiring Mike Muscala

Plenty of teams in the playoff hunt could benefit from Mike Muscala's veteran presence and knack for 3-point shooting.

Thunder veteran Mike Muscala has quickly come on as one of the top 3-point shooting big men in the league.

Normally, Muscala would be an easy keeper with his ability to space the floor. But with the Thunder in the midst of a rebuild and in the hunt for better draft capital, they have no use for the sharpshooter.

In a limited role, Muscala is averaging 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds, most importantly while shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc.

Last season, he shot a respectable 37 percent on over five attempts per game.

Here are a few teams who should be kicking the tires for Muscala:

Philadelphia 76ers

Isaiah Roby, OKC Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers
Bill Streicher / USA TODAY Sports

After struggling with injuries this season, Philadelphia is dangerously close to being a bottom five scoring team.

Plugging Muscala into the Sixers lineup takes some of the pressure off other shooters, and gives the Philadelphia a change-of-pace center next to Joel Embiid.

Philadelphia ranks 18th in 3-point shooting so far this season.

Los Angeles Lakers

Russell Westbrook is guarded by Lu Dort
[Alonzo Adams]

While the Lakers rank 10th in points per game, they rank just 17th overall in 3-point shooting.

Alongside Russell Westbrook and LeBron James, Muscala would function well as a versatile paint presence.

The ability to spread the floor out and stop clogging the lane could do wonders for a struggling Los Angeles squad.

Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Isaiah J. Downing / USA TODAY Sports

While the Nuggets have the best center in the NBA in Nikola Jokic, they often times have non-shooting big men on the court with him.

Muscala offers Jokic a different archetype at the power forward position in substitute of Jeff Green and JaMychal Green.

And with a plethora of players sidelined due to injury, Muscala’s veteran presence could be just what the Nuggets need at the moment.


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Published
Derek Parker
DEREK PARKER

Derek is the Publisher for InsideTheThunder.com and Draft Digest for Fan Nation, powered by Sports Illustrated. He has been a sports writer in the Oklahoma City market for five years now, primarily covering the Oklahoma City Thunder and NBA Draft.