The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Mike Muscala
PF/C - 6’11, 240lbs - 26 years old - 5 years of experience
Aside from it incorporating quite a lot of lost time due to injury – and, really, of how many Hawks players is this not true? – Muscala returned a good season. Brought back to the team last offseason to a very fair price that perhaps undervalue his abilities and usefulness going forward considering how well his skill set should play in the modern NBA market, Muscala then had probably the best season of his career, if a shortened one.
It is therefore a bit of a shame that he seems almost certain to go back onto the market again via his player option. A good outside shooter for a big who seems to get more aggressive with each passing year, Muscala is embracing what was once a part of his game and turning it into the main part of his game and career going forwards. But that is not to say that it is all he does - unlike players such as Justin Hamilton before him, Muscala is also sufficiently capable defensively. Not hugely strong, not hugely quick, and not a great rim protector, he nevertheless is quick enough to rotate, scramble, close out, and stick with opponents in switches. And considering he starts and ends most possessions on the perimeter, he boards fairly well too.
There might not be much upside beyond what he does. Some defensive nous, a more consistent shot and sustaining if not improving on his new defensive rebounding rate are all feasible developments for him, but there is not the ball skill or athleticism to become a whole lot more than what he is. Then again, there doesn’t need to be.
Player Plan: $5 million player option for next season he has exercised. See if anything can be gotten for it, as Spellman is younger with more team control, but he is young enough to still be a part of what seemingly will be the world’s best shooting frontcourt.
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PF/C - 6’11, 240lbs - 26 years old - 5 years of experience
Aside from it incorporating quite a lot of lost time due to injury – and, really, of how many Hawks players is this not true? – Muscala returned a good season. Brought back to the team last offseason to a very fair price that perhaps undervalue his abilities and usefulness going forward considering how well his skill set should play in the modern NBA market, Muscala then had probably the best season of his career, if a shortened one.
It is therefore a bit of a shame that he seems almost certain to go back onto the market again via his player option. A good outside shooter for a big who seems to get more aggressive with each passing year, Muscala is embracing what was once a part of his game and turning it into the main part of his game and career going forwards. But that is not to say that it is all he does - unlike players such as Justin Hamilton before him, Muscala is also sufficiently capable defensively. Not hugely strong, not hugely quick, and not a great rim protector, he nevertheless is quick enough to rotate, scramble, close out, and stick with opponents in switches. And considering he starts and ends most possessions on the perimeter, he boards fairly well too.
There might not be much upside beyond what he does. Some defensive nous, a more consistent shot and sustaining if not improving on his new defensive rebounding rate are all feasible developments for him, but there is not the ball skill or athleticism to become a whole lot more than what he is. Then again, there doesn’t need to be.
Player Plan: $5 million player option for next season he has exercised. See if anything can be gotten for it, as Spellman is younger with more team control, but he is young enough to still be a part of what seemingly will be the world’s best shooting frontcourt.
