Detroit Pistons center Mike Muscala (head) moved into the starting five ahead of Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The veteran big man was tasked with starting at center with Isaiah Stewart (ankle) unable to go. Sadly, Muscala didn't last too long as he exited in the first quarter after colliding with Evan Mobley. The team is calling it a head injury and it's uncertain at the moment if Muscala suffered a concussion. He'll be held out of the rest of Wednesday's game as a precaution. Kevin Knox II and Ausar Thompson will see increased playing time with Muscala sidelined. Thompson is the much better fantasy option between the two players.

Center Mike Muscala was traded to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday by the Boston Celtics in a three-team deal. He'll be packing his bags for a second time in mere months after being a trade deadline acquisition from Oklahoma City. Muscala suited up in 20 games for the Celtics, averaging 5.9 points and 3.4 rebounds, which are around his career average numbers. As it currently stands, Muscala is set to be the backup center to Daniel Gafford, and he likely won't be getting enough minutes to be fantasy-relevant.

The NBA trade deadline has officially come and gone and we had one of the most active deadlines in recent memory with some big stars being dealt. Kyrie, KD, and Westbrook are all heading to new teams and we have been covering those trades and their fantasy impacts here at RotoBaller.But there were plenty of other lesser-known players who were dealt in the last few days and I wanted to go through and make sure we don't overlook some of these trades as some of those deals may even have more fantasy impact than the big moves.So here are some other trades that went down and my two cents on the increase or decrease in value that we should expect from the players involved for the remainder of the 2022-2023 fantasy basketball season. 

Moves That Matter

These are very much in order of how much they matter. Let's start with the Spurs sending their starting center back up North where he started his career.Jakob Poeltl to the RaptorsI am a huge Poeltl fan and was close to acquiring him on multiple teams before the deadline. It was a curious move by Toronto to be buyers instead of sellers at the deadline, but Poeltl gives them the presence at the five they have been lacking all season and allows Siakam to shift over and play PF where he belongs.Poeltl is no longer a shutdown candidate and has legit top-50 upside with his multi-category abilities. His departure also makes ... [More]

Center Mike Muscala has been traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Justin Jackson and two second-round picks. The big man from Bucknell joins the fifth team of his 10-year NBA career. Muscala averaged only 14.5 minutes per game for the Thunder this season and his prospects in Boston aren't looking great either, with Robert Williams III and Al Horford among the team's center options. Jackson finds himself back in Oklahoma City after starting the 2020-21 campaign with the team. He's been bouncing around a lot of teams and sees very little action, so fantasy managers can safely ignore him.

Center Mike Muscala will be returning to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2022-23 season, the team announced Thursday. Muscala had his team option declined back in June, but the two sides were able to come to a new agreement. The 31-year-old will be entering his fourth season with the Thunder, having previously averaged 7.3 points and three rebounds per outing across 125 contests. Known for his sharpshooting ability from the frontcourt, Muscala has knocked down an average of 1.5 threes per game, all while shooting at a 39.2 percent clip from deep during his Oklahoma City tenure. Minutes will likely not be plentiful for the veteran, but he will be a name to eye if injuries slow the Thunder big men.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Mike Muscala (ankle) won't play on Saturday versus the Bulls. The veteran is currently dealing with right ankle soreness, an ailment that forced him to miss his previous four games. He's expected to be out beyond the All-Star break, and with Derrick Favors resting against Chicago, Isaiah Roby and Aleksej Pokusevski should benefit. However, the latter should be the preferred option for fantasy purposes.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Mike Muscala (ankle) has been cleared to take the floor for Thursday's game against the Grizzlies. Muscala missed each of the team's two previous contests due to a sore right ankle, with his return giving the frontcourt some much-needed depth behind rookie Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Muscala has reached the 20-minute mark just twice in 15 appearances this season, so he is likely on the periphery of most fantasy formats, but his return may remove some of Robinson-Earl's shine. A weapon in OKC's second unit, Muscala is shooting a career-best 43.6% from behind the arc this year.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Mike Muscala (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's contest against Houston due to a sore right ankle. Muscala's absence now sits at two games, and with fellow big man Derrick Favors (illness) also down, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl should receive as many minutes as he can handle at the center spot. Muscala has carved out a role in the second unit as a three-point marksman (43.6% from deep), although his limited playing time is a detriment to his season-long fantasy viability. His next chance to take the floor comes Thursday vs. the Grizzlies.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Mike Muscala (ankle) has been deemed questionable to suit up for Wednesday's game against Houston due to a sore right ankle. The ailment cost Muscala from appearing in Monday's outing, leaving the Thunder thin at the center spot while Derrick Favors (illness) has also been unavailable. Traditionally known for his ability to stretch the defense from the center spot, Muscala has enjoyed a strong start to the year from behind the arc, shooting at a 43.6 percent clip. Despite that, his 14.4 minutes per game average is too small to garner season-long relevance. An absence from the veteran would funnel even more minutes toward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, thereby making him a favorable DFS target.

Forward Mike Muscala agreed to a two-year deal on Thursday to remain in Oklahoma City. The 30-year-old averaged 9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shot 37 percent from deep throughout 35 contests with the Thunder last season. Although he has had some productive outings over the years, he isn't consistent enough to be considered an effective fantasy option. However, there may be times during the 2021-22 campaign where Muscala will come in handy as a streaming option in deeper formats, but only if OKC faces an injury or two throughout the season.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Magic Johnson plans to hug it out with the Los Angeles Lakers to help them cope with the fallout from the NBA trade deadline."It's a part of business, it's a part of being a professional athlete," he said Saturday. "I'm going to hug 'em and tell them that we got to come together and our goal is still in reach, which is to make the playoffs."The team president and Hall of Famer spoke with reporters at Michigan State, where he and the 1979 national championship team he led were celebrated before the ninth-ranked Spartans beat Minnesota.The Lakers were in pursuit of disgruntled New Orleans superstar Anthony Davis and many of their players were mentioned as possibly being dealt before the deadline Thursday. The franchise ended up trading Michael Beasley, Ivica Zubac and rookie Svi Mykhailiuk in a pair of deals to acquire Reggie Bullock and Mike Muscala."I love our team. I love the guys," Johnson said. "It's a tough part of our business whether you're mentioned in trade talk, or you get traded. It's a tough part of professional sports, but they came together and played great against Boston. My job is to make sure we stay together as a team and stay focused on the goal, which is to make the playoffs."The Lakers, who are in 10th place in the Western Conference, play at Philadelphia on Sunday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — General manager Rob Pelinka hopes the Los Angeles Lakers will come out of a tumultuous trade deadline period with more mental toughness for the stretch run.After 10 days of team-wide uncertainty during their widely reported pursuit of disgruntled New Orleans superstar Anthony Davis, Pelinka said he believes the Lakers will bounce back strongly.Pelinka already saw signs of it Thursday night, when Los Angeles beat Boston on Rajon Rondo's dramatic winning basket just a few hours after the deadline passed and Davis remained with the Pelicans."What I've come to learn is that any time in life you face a challenge or a moment of adversity, you have to look at that as an opportunity," Pelinka said Friday. "When you go through anything as a team, if you go through adversity, you can choose how to respond. Does it draw you closer together, or does it push you further apart?"Pelinka and his boss, Magic Johnson, also remain confident in the Lakers' ability to end the franchise's... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tobias Harris drove the lane, tossed up a runner and buried the winner in what turned out to be his final shot for the Los Angeles Clippers.His packed bags needed a new destination. Next stop, Philadelphia.The 26-year-old Harris is headed to the 76ers as part of a late-night deal that suddenly gives the team the best starting five in the Eastern Conference and stamped them as legitimate title contenders.Harris is ready for the move — he tweeted early Wednesday a GIF from the opening credits of the 1990s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" showing Will Smith's character playing basketball.The Sixers can only hope this trade turns into a story all about how the East got flipped-turned upside down.They paid a steep price for the free agent: Sensational rookie guard Landry Shamet and four draft picks are headed to the Clippers. Philadelphia traded forwards Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala to Los Angeles, too.The Sixers also acquired center Boban Marjanovic and forward Mike... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tobias Harris drove the lane, tossed up a runner and buried the winner in what turned out to be his final shot for the Los Angeles Clippers.His packed bags needed a new destination. Next stop, Philadelphia.The 26-year-old Harris is headed to the 76ers as part of a late-night deal that suddenly gives the team the best starting five in the Eastern Conference and stamped them as legitimate title contenders.Harris is ready for the move — he tweeted early Wednesday a GIF from the opening credits of the 1990s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" showing Will Smith's character playing basketball.The Sixers can only hope this trade turns into a story all about how the East got flipped-turned upside down.They paid a steep price for the free agent: Sensational rookie guard Landry Shamet and four draft picks are headed to the Clippers. Philadelphia traded forwards Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala to Los Angeles, too.The Sixers also acquired center Boban Marjanovic and forward Mike... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tobias Harris drove the lane, tossed up a runner and buried the winner in what turned out to be his final shot for the Los Angeles Clippers.His packed bags needed a new destination. Next stop, Philadelphia.The 26-year-old Harris is headed to the 76ers as part of a late-night deal that suddenly gives the team the best starting five in the Eastern Conference and stamped them as legitimate title contenders.Harris is ready for the move — he tweeted early Wednesday a GIF from the opening credits of the 1990s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" showing Will Smith's character playing basketball.The Sixers can only hope this trade turns into a story all about how the East got flipped-turned upside down.They paid a steep price for the free agent: Sensational rookie guard Landry Shamet and four draft picks are headed to the Clippers. Philadelphia also traded forwards Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala to Los Angeles.A person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press the... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to acquire Los Angeles Clippers forward Tobias Harris as the centerpiece of a six-player, four-draft pick trade they hope can put them over the top in the East.A person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press the Sixers also acquired center Boban Marjanovic and forward Mike Scott as part of the deal. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced.Harris is ready for the move — he tweeted early Wednesday a GIF from the opening credits of the 1990s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" showing Will Smith's character playing basketball.The Clippers restocked the roster with pieces for the future. The Sixers sent rookie guard Landry Shamet and four draft picks to the Clippers. Philadelphia also traded forwards Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala to Los Angeles.The 26-year-old Harris is having a breakout season with the Clippers. He averages 20.9 points and shoots nearly 50 percent... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to acquire Los Angeles Clippers forward Tobias Harris as the centerpiece of a six-player, four-draft pick trade they hope can put them over the top in the East.A person familiar with the trade said the Sixers also acquired center Boban Marjanovic and forward Mike Scott as part of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced.Harris is ready for the move — he tweeted early Wednesday a GIF from the opening credits of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."The Clippers restocked the roster with pieces for the future. The Sixers sent rookie guard Landry Shamet and four draft picks to the Clippers. The Sixers also traded forwards Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala to the Clippers.The 26-year-old Harris is having a breakout season with the Clippers. He averages 20.7 points and shoots 42 percent from 3-point range and will start with All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, and Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to acquire Los Angeles Clippers forward Tobias Harris as the centerpiece of a six-player, four-draft pick trade they hope can put them over the top in the East.A person familiar with the trade says the Sixers also acquired center Boban Marjanovic and forward Mike Scott as part of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced.The Clippers restocked the roster with pieces for the future. The Sixers sent rookie guard Landry Shamet and four draft picks to the Clippers. The Sixers also traded forwards Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala to the Clippers.The 26-year-old Harris is having a breakout season with the Clippers. He averages 20.7 points and shoots 42 percent from 3-point range and will start with All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, and Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick to form one of the top starting fives in the Eastern Conference.Sixers general manager Elton Brand traded for Butler,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks have waived Carmelo Anthony, making official the move that was expected when the 10-time All-Star was traded from Oklahoma City this month.The 34-year-old Anthony may now sign with another team as a free agent. He averaged 16.2 points with Oklahoma City this season.The Hawks acquired Anthony, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick from Oklahoma City and Justin Anderson from the Philadelphia 76ers in the three-team trade July 19.In that deal, the Hawks traded forward-center Mike Muscala to Philadelphia and point guard Dennis Schroder to Oklahoma City. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was traded from Philadelphia to Oklahoma City.___More AP basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

ATLANTA (AP) — Veteran Vince Carter is the latest addition to the new-look Atlanta Hawks.The 41-year-old Carter has agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Hawks, said a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.Carter was given the veteran's minimum deal to provide veteran leadership on a rebuilding Atlanta squad entering its first season with coach Lloyd Pierce.Carter, the NBA's oldest player, averaged 5.4 points and only 17.7 minutes per game while starting only five games last season with Sacramento.He will be entering his 21st season with his eighth team. He is an eight-time All-Star and has averaged 17.7 points for his career.Carter was named Rookie of the Year with Toronto in 1999. Following eight seasons with the Raptors, he was traded to New Jersey in 2004 and also has played for Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, Memphis and the Kings.Carter joins an Atlanta roster... [More]