Why 76ers must sign Mike Muscala, complete pairing with Tyrese Maxey after Pistons buyout

The full story of Maxey’s road to Philadelphia begins deep into the years of The Process. It started when the 76ers made a trade with the Sacramento Kings in the summer of 2015. The deal featured numerous players, picks and a right to swap first-round picks for the 2017 draft. That swap gave the Sixers the third overall pick instead of the fifth, which made it easier to trade up to the top overall pick in a deal with the Boston Celtics.

The 76ers selected Washington standout Markelle Fultz, the gem of that year’s draft class. But he wasn’t able to reach his star potential in Philly and was traded to the rebuilding Orlando Magic at the 2019 trade deadline. The biggest part of the return for the Sixers was a top-20 protected pick in the 2020 draft that originally belonged to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Now comes the part of the story that stands apart as iconic 76ers lore. In the second-to-last game of the Thunder’s 2019-20 regular season, Muscala hit two threes, one with 35.0 seconds left in the game and another with just 5.2 left, to complete a come-from-behind victory over the Miami Heat.

OKC led for just 40 seconds of that game in The Bubble. But holding the advantage at the final buzzer meant that the Thunder’s draft pick would be the 21st overall. The 76ers went on to pick a wildly skilled guard out of the University of Kentucky who would become an All-Star in just his fourth NBA season. Maxey knows that Muscala gave the 76ers the pick that they used on him and he’s very appreciative of it.

Embiid refusing to succumb to the monumental stress he faced early in his career and developing into arguably the NBA’s best player is the most incredible, awe-inspiring development in recent 76ers memory. Second only to that are Muscala’s heroics, which did nothing but disadvantage his at-the-time team and allow Philly to draft a franchise cornerstone.

Mike Muscala already has a place in the hearts of the 76ers and their fans. Now, they could really use his shooting abilities on their team.

The options are slim for backup big men in the buyout market right now. Other former Sixers Nerlens Noel and Tony Bradley could provide some size and interior defense, as could Harry Giles. Wenyen Gabriel is smaller for a center but can defend and rebound well. Muscala, however, has the advantage of being an actual rotation player this season.

Sure, Muscala’s playing time has come for the two worst teams in the entire league (the Washington Wizards and Pistons). But he has spent legitimate time in the NBA this season, which isn’t always the case for mid-season signings. He has one high-level skill that will make him useful every time he steps on the court.

Since Muscala’s contract is below the value of the mid-level exception, any team can sign him with an open roster spot. The Thunder, ironically, could pursue him, as they need some more size. The Phoenix Suns and Indiana Pacers each have an open spot. Given the aforementioned struggles of its current centers, Muscala’s path to playing time looks the clearest in Philly.

Is Mike Muscala going to make the Embiid-less 76ers significantly better? Very likely not. Will he play in the playoffs? Highly doubtful. But with Philly’s need for another center and an emotional pick-me-up, Muscala becoming a Sixer again makes a ton of sense for both sides.