Buy or Sell: Which OKC Thunder free agents should stay?
By Ryan Love
Should the OKC Thunder Buy or Sell: Mike Muscala
Mike Muscala joined the Oklahoma City Thunder last season when many expected the frontcourt of the team to be expendable.
Steven Adams and Danilo Gallinari looked to be on the move, but the team exceeded expectations and kept everyone together.
Muscala’s role could have changed dramatically if one or both of those starters were traded away.
However, he instead remained as a backup power forward and center, averaging 4.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game.
Muscala is the lone Thunder free agent that will choose his own destiny this offseason.
The Thunder signed him last summer to a one-year $2.1 million deal with a player option for the 2020-21 season.
Muscala is a valuable, yet inconsequential member of the team.
Out of the Thunder’s frontcourt players — Adams, Gallinari, Nerlens Noel — Muscala should be treated like the first one out.
Not that the Thunder has a choice in the matter, but his salary and skillset combined make his decision one that the team shouldn’t fret over.
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Should the OKC Thunder Buy or Sell: Abdel Nader
As the Thunder enters a potential rebuild, Abdel Nader could be an important piece to keep around.
Nader has a team option for $1.7 million if he’s retained for his third season in Oklahoma City.
Coming off the bench, he’s been known to provide an offensive spark.
Nader scored 6.3 points per game last season in 15.8 minutes — both career highs.
His potential his highlighted by arguably his best game of last season which came early on against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Nader scored 23 points in just 17 minutes, going 3-for-4 from 3-point range.
However, his stat line that night also showed how limited his game remains.
He finished with two rebounds, one assist, zero blocks and zero steals which all come close to matching his season averages.
Limitations aside, the Thunder can’t beat a one-year deal as cheap as Nader’s for next season for what he provides. He’s a keeper at least for one more season.