Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault revealed before Monday’s game against the Golden State Warriors that Mike Muscala will be out until at least the All-Star Break due to a right ankle injury.
Muscala last played on Friday in a win against the Portland Trail Blazers. The 30-year-old has previously noted that this is a nagging ankle injury that will probably require offseason surgery to address.
This news throws a wrench in the Thunder’s trade deadline plans when it comes to Muscala being potentially moved. The nine-year veteran has garnered trade interest due to scoring eight points per game on just 14 minutes a night while shooting a career-high 42.9 percent from three. Muscala’s salary this season is also just 3.5 million with a team option for next season at the same price.
But with the trade deadline being this Thursday, potentially interested teams might no longer want Muscala due to the uncertainty surrounding this ankle injury along with the fact of not knowing how his offseason surgery will impact his next season when deciding whether or not to pick up his option.
If Muscala stays with the team past the deadline, I expect them to take it slow with this ankle injury and not rush his return.
