The Celtics' trade for Mike Muscala signals what's likely a quiet trade deadline for Boston, who are possibly done for the day and onto the buyout market.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic , the Celtics are sending Justin Jackson and two second-round picks to the Thunder in exchange for the veteran, floor-spacing center.
Muscala, now in his tenth season, is averaging 6.2 points per game while taking 3.3 threes per contest and converting them at a 39.4 percent clip. The six-foot-ten, 240-pound center is also grabbing 3.1 rebounds in his 14.5 minutes of playing time.
He's under contract for $3.5 million this season and has a club option worth the same amount for the 2023-24 campaign.
In Muscala, Boston acquires a low-cost option who can space the floor, provide a boost from beyond the arc, and fit alongside any of their other big men.
It also seems like a move that hints the Celtics aren't parting with Payton Pritchard and Danilo Gallinari to get a deal done today. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on the eve of the trade deadline Boston was shopping the two, seeing if it could find a move for a center that was worth making.
While the trade for Muscala might be it for the Celtics today, they are one of the most attractive options for players on or who become available on the buyout market.
At 39-16, the Celtics boast the NBA's best record. They also have a $3.23 million disabled player exception the league granted them due to Gallinari's ACL tear.
There's already an intriguing option who might soon find himself on the buyout market, reportedly sharing a mutual interest in coming to Boston.
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