New Orleans Pelicans: Trading for Mike Muscala of the OKC Thunder

New Orleans Pelicans: Trading for Mike Muscala of OKC

Why the Pelicans would do it?

I’m pretty sure Stan Van Gundy would trade Melli for a sack of used gym socks at this point because at least the socks have a role.

Melli has been unplayable thus far, so any change would be an upgrade.

Muscala is basically what Melli is supposed to be, a big guy who can stretch the floor. The difference is that Melli is shooting 14.3 percent from 3-point range and Muscala is knocking down 53 percent of his.

Obviously, Muscala is not going to shoot like this all season, but his 37 percent career average is still a big upgrade from Melli, who hasn’t made a shot since before the pandemic.

Muscala is not a strong rebounder or shot blocker but neither is Melli. What he can do is knock down shots and would give the Pelicans another option in the pick-and-roll.

Muscala has played time at both power forward and center so could give the Pelicans some minutes at both spots so that they don’t have to play Zion Williamson at the five, which has been a disaster.

Muscala is a low-cost veteran who the Pels might be able to get for practically nothing and would be a big upgrade to the bench.

David Griffin, get on the phone.