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Atlanta Hawks Offseason Grades: The Mike Muscala Trade

By Chris Guest

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Mike Muscala #31 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 10, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Mike Muscala #31 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 10, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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As part of our offseason coverage, Soaring Down South is ranking each and every offseason transaction the Atlanta Hawks made.

After a slow start, the Atlanta Hawks kicked it into high gear and had one of the most action-packed and interesting offseasons in recent memory. Multiple trades and signings took place even after the NBA Draft, which was even more important for the Hawks in the long-term.

In our ongoing series of offseason reviews, it’s time to grade each move the Hawks made this offseason from draft picks to trades to free agency deals.

Next up, the trade that sent away fan favorite Mike Muscala in favor of a young, high-upside wing with positional versatility in Justin Anderson.

Atlanta Hawks Justin Anderson
HOUSTON, TX – Justin Anderson, Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images) /

THE GRADE: B+

While losing Atlanta Hawks lifer Mike Muscala still stings, even weeks after the deal went down, he will likely play for a title-contending Eastern Conference team in the 76ers – and will most likely play big minutes after the loss of Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli.

Though Muscala had one of his best-ever seasons in 2017-18, he was a little bit older than the players that can be reasonably expected to be part of the Atlanta Hawks core going forward, so it was perhaps time to move on from Musky – as hard as that is to say.

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In return, the Hawks picked up an extremely low-cost flyer at a position need with the acquisition of Justin Anderson from the 76ers.

Anderson, who is 24 years old, still has untapped potential despite being in the league for 3 years already.

A good defender, Anderson will likely get a solid run at the three next season – potentially even as the primary backup to Taurean Prince, especially if DeAndre’ Bembry continues to underwhelm after a subpar year in 2017-18.

Sure, losing a folk hero like Muscala will certainly hurt in the short-term, but if Anderson can continue to develop into a two-way wing, the Hawks were able to pick up a rotation player for nothing.

Even if Anderson doesn’t work out well in a Hawks uniform, the team still gave him a shot at no cost, so they’re not losing anything in the long run. Overall, a great move from GM Travis Schlenk.

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Stay tuned for the next story in our offseason grades series, and always keep it locked to Soaring Down South for all your Atlanta Hawks news.

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