Atlanta Hawks Player Appraisal: Mike Muscala
The Atlanta Hawks have several players on expiring contracts this season. What is the value of Mike Muscala?
The value of Mike Muscala is something that has fluctuated greatly throughout this season.
Muscala was a fixture as a big man off the bench early in the season but saw his minutes decline in the dog days of this year. But lately, the former Bucknell standout has experienced a resurgence late in the season to remind the Hawks that he can be a valuable big man for their system.
Statistically, this has been the best season of Muscala’s four-year career.
He has averaged a career-high 17.7 minutes per game this year and has been pretty efficient. Muscala has averaged 6.2 points per game on 50.4 percent shooting from the field and 41.8 percent from three-point range.
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Muscala has proven to be a solid offensive piece that can stretch the floor, make smart cuts, and run the floor. His ability to bring minutes at both the power forward and center positions makes him versatile, in that he can be used in big and small lineups. Muscala’s 116 offensive rating proves that he is a good piece to the puzzle when it comes to putting up points off of the bench.
And Muscala has put on some great performances late in the year, particularly in Atlanta’s two wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In the Hawks’ two wins over the defending champions last week, Muscala possessed a combined plus-minus of +43. He also averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in those two games. Not only did Muscala show an ability to shoot but that he is also a very good passer with excellent vision. He also brought great energy to the game and was fearless in his attack on the offensive end.
Defensively, Muscala is not great, but he is not terrible either. Muscala is quick enough to guard both power forwards and centers. His strength is also good enough for fours and small-ball fives. He is not going to be protecting the rim at an elite level. But he is not someone who will get abused on that end either.
The cost of Muscala is something that should be affordable this summer. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and should have a little bit of a market. Bench big men who can play multiple positions and play well within a system can often bring good value. It would not be surprising to see Muscala draw offers of up to $6-$7 million per season.
If the Hawks can get Muscala for $3-$5 million per season, that would be a value with the new salary cap. He knows Mike Budenholzer’s system and has shown this year to be a capable spark off of the bench.
Next: Worst Hawks Drafts of the 1990's
The Hawks may look to the draft to bring in some frontcourt depth. But they have a ready-made big in Muscala that can be cheap and reliable on the second unit.