The 76ers have exercised their team option to bring back Hollis Thompson for another season, according to a team release. Similarly, the Hawks have picked up their own team option on Mike Muscala, per Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Thompson, 25, joined the Sixers for the 2013/14 season, and has appeared in at least 71 games in each of the last three seasons, making a total of 81 starts. Although 2015/16 was Thompson’s least efficient season when it came to shooting percentages and attempts, he did establish new career highs in PPG (9.8), RPG (3.5), and some other categories, as a result of his increased role. The three-point-shooting wing will be on Philadelphia’s books for a minimum salary of $1,015,696 for the ’16/17 campaign.
As for Muscala, his option for next season is worth the same as Thompson’s, $1,015,696. The former Bucknell big man, who will turn 25 this Friday, has appeared in 120 games during his three seasons in Atlanta, never averaging more than 12.6 minutes per game in a season. While he likely won’t be a huge part of the club’s plans going forward, he’s an inexpensive frontcourt depth piece.
Both Thompson and Muscala will now be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2017, assuming they play out their respective contracts.
Both contracts are still non-guaranteed so these seem like easy moves that still leave each team plenty of flexibility.