May 13, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Mike Muscala (50) warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder in game four of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsClemente Almanza, OKC Thunder WireSat, November 29, 2025 at 9:01 PM UTC·4 min readWalking the halls of Paycom Center, Mike Muscala had to learn a new route than usual — this time, he had to go through the visitor's tunnel and locker room. Oh, and he did so under a new role as an assistant coach rather than an NBA player.
Returning to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the final two months of the 2023-24 season, Muscala rode off into the sunset. He called it a career. But it didn't take long for him to regain that basketball itch. One year off had him vying for a return to the NBA.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMuscala found that as a first-time Phoenix Suns assistant coach. He joined Jordan Ott's staff as he took over as head coach. So far, the results have been pleasing. They're one of the league's biggest overachievers to start the season.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault had the chance to get to know Muscala. The career journeyman spent his best years in OKC as two stints totaling five years there from 2019-24. While his new career path surprised him a bit, he talked about his good-vibes personality.
"I didn't know he'd coach. He's a guy who's got a lot of different interests. He's got a broad range of interests. So you never knew where he ran when his playing career was done," Daigneault said. "But what I can say about Mike is similar when I got asked about Horford when Golden State was in town."
Daigneault is the rare NBA head coach who succeeded in both a rebuild and a championship contender. His first couple of seasons as OKC's head coach resulted in a bottom-five record. But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's development, as well as adding blue-chip prospects, expedited their rebuild process.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"There are certain guys who, while we were in the midst of our build, there were a lot of opportunities when you're losing more games than you're winning," Daigneault said. "When you've got a young team, when you're building something that's more based on a vision than it is on tangible outcomes that day, there's a lot of opportunity for cynicism."
Several stops helped Muscala gain perspective in the NBA. When he initially joined, he had the chance to back out of his one-year deal as the Thunder surprised everybody when they traded away Russell Westbrook and Paul George. The veteran stuck around instead. He helped OKC in the early stages of a new era.
"Mike, like Horford, very optimistic guy that brings a great spirit to the gym every day, that allowed us to grow, puts the wind at your back when you're not feeling it's not like a hurdle," Daigneault said. "If you had a guy out there that's not like that, it's something you then have to overcome. As well as the other challenges that come with the NBA. Mike was never like that."
Daigneault also talked about Muscala's on-court production. He enjoyed his best seasons there. He averaged 6.5 points and 2.9 rebounds. He shot 38.7% from 3 on 3.5 attempts. You were able to see why a stretch center might best accommodate Gilgeous-Alexander's heavy drive game as a kick-out option.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"The other thing is, he really helped us tactically. He was a five-out center that gave us a lot of different looks, and we learned a lot of different things," Daigneault said. "And then you introduced Chet and J-Will a couple of years later. A lot of the prototype stuff, a lot of the stuff we were able to do and draw on was stuff that started when Mike was in that role."
Every NBA rebuild eventually needs some veterans to direct a locker room filled with young players. Muscala was one of those guys for the Thunder. And considering how openly emotional he's been about his time in OKC, it's obvious that he loved his time there.
That's why he received a loud ovation when he was shown on the Jumbotron as the Thunder came away with a 123-119 win over the Suns. He'll be back soon as OKC will host Phoenix on Wednesday, Dec. 10, to open the 2025 NBA Cup knockout tournament.
"We learned a lot from him and from his game as well. So his fingerprints are all over this build," Daigneault said. "He was one of those guys that we have a great appreciation for him. Happy that he's in a good situation in Phoenix."
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Mark Daigneault 'happy' to see Mike Muscala land in Suns assistant gig
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