Former Celtics Big Man Reportedly Joins Suns Coaching Staff

It’s been a hectic offseason for the Boston Celtics, as they have been hard at work trying to clear cap space in order to avoid the second apron of the league’s new salary cap. For one of their former players, Mike Muscala, it’s also been a pretty busy offseason.

Muscala was an 11-year NBA veteran who bounced around the league, playing for seven different teams. At the 2023 trade deadline, the C’s picked up Muscala in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as they attempted to shore up their big man depth.

In 20 games with Boston, Muscala averaged 5.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. He would end up getting traded over the offseason to the Washington Wizards as part of the Kristaps Porzingis deal.

In the 2023-24 campaign, Muscala spent time with the Wizards and Detroit Pistons before finding his way back to the Thunder. After the season, he retired from the league, but he’s making a return in 2025, albeit in a different role. On Saturday, reports emerged that Muscala will be joining the Phoenix Suns coaching staff as an assistant coach.

“Just In: The Phoenix Suns will add Mike Muscala as an assistant coach, sources told HoopsHype,” Michael Scotto reported. “After 11 NBA seasons with the Hawks, Thunder, 76ers, Wizards, Celtics, Lakers and Pistons, Muscala becomes a coach at 34. Suns new head coach Jordan Ott worked with Muscala in Atlanta.”

With Jordan Ott looking to build out his coaching staff in Phoenix, he’s giving Muscala a chance to find his way back into the league as a coach. As noted above, Ott worked with Muscala during their time together on the Atlanta Hawks.

The Suns have high hopes for their new coaching staff heading into the 2025-26 campaign, and Muscala will be getting his feet wet in the world of coaching. If all goes well, this could be the beginning of a strong second act for Muscala now that his playing career has come to an end.