Los Angeles Lakers: Free-agent targets to complement Russell Westbrook
By Jason Reed
2. Mike Muscala
Mike Muscala’s first stint with the Los Angeles Lakers did not go as planned and is one of the worst moves that Rob Pelinka has made since taking over in Los Angeles. The Lakers essentially gave away Ivica Zubac for free in the attempt to get half a season’s worth of shooting in Muscala.
Muscala came to LA and did not provide what the Lakers needed him to provide and he became one of the most forgotten players in Lakers history. Muscala has regained some value as an asset since that tenure and could have his choice of contenders to sign with this offseason.
It is not a guarantee that Muscala is going to be on the open market as the Thunder have a player option for him next season. That being said, Muscala’s option is worth $3.5 million and the Thunder could opt out of it to create any sort of room to improve the team.
Muscala would give the Lakers a similar outlook that Bjelica would. He would be a five option to play while Westbrook is on the floor and when he is at his best, Muscala could be a truly lethal off-ball shooter with Russ distributing.
He does not have the size that Bjelica has but in today’s NBA he could absolutely operate as a small-ball five so long that the Lakers are smart and don’t put him on the court as such at the same time as Joel Embiid.
Muscala has a connection to new head coach Darvin Ham, which could make this partnership even more likely.