Long-time favorite trade target once again linked to Boston Celtics

After a surprise run to the 2022 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics have managed to make a return to the big stage all the more plausible with their highly impactful offseason additions and overall endeavors, and currently rank as the favorites to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy come the end of 2022-23.

That said, even with all their summer successes and lofty expectations, there are still several areas within their rotation that could use some bolstering at some point between now and next June.

As things currently stand, perhaps the C’s biggest weakness resides within their frontcourt, particularly behind primary big men Robert Williams and Al Horford on the depth chart now that veteran big man Daniel Theis is in Indiana.

Considering the baggage both of these aforementioned ballers possess (injuries and age, respectively), Brad Stevens and co. are reportedly interested in adding on another big-bodied presence to the team’s rotation and, per Heavy Sports’ Sean Deveney, OKC Thunder forward Mike Muscala could be viewed as a realistic option.

Deveney recently had a talk with a couple of anonymous NBA coaches, discussing some potential TPE targets the Boston Celtics could pursue with their remaining luxuries, and, when Muscala’s name was brought up, one of the interviewees referred to him as “definitely a guy they could get.”

"“He had trouble staying healthy there last year, the last couple years really, with the ankle surgery. I think the Celtics want a bit more of a big body in there for their third big guy, and Muscala is more of the stretch-5 type so, that may be one where Ime (Udoka) wouldn’t play him much. But he can shoot. He knocks down 3s on the wings. If you’re having a sluggish game offensively, he can change things with a couple of makes. Definitely a guy they could get if they’re looking to build on that shooting dimension, just not sure he’s Ime’s type from a defensive standpoint.”"

The concept of Mike Muscala being a legitimate trade target for the Boston Celtics should be nothing new to both fans of the franchise and followers of us here at the Houdini.

A soon-to-be 10-year veteran in the association, the 31-year-old once again finished off last season as one of the most trusty long-range shooters in the league.

Boasting impressive shooting splits of 45.6 percent clip from the field overall and a career-high 42.9 percent clip from long-range, per 75 possessions the big man posted a stellar stat-line of 21.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game whilst coming off the bench for the Thunder.

Acquiring Mike Muscala would help address both the team’s desire to add on a more reliable long-distance sniper (a career 37.7 percent 3-point shooter) and a tweener big who can slot in at either the four or five thanks to his semi-underrated agility and size (measures in at 6-11, 240-pounds).

At an average salary of $3.5 million through 2024 (2023-24 has a club option), the Boston Celtics should absolutely consider bringing him aboard.