SerpApi.Org
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Matisse Thybulle according to ESPN. Thybulle, a former two-time All-Defensive second team player, agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Lakers.
On paper Thybulle is the perfect type of player to add to a roster featuring offensive-minded stars like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Thybulle is a defensive-minded perimeter defender who can shoot the three. The only problem is Thybulle has had a lot of trouble staying on the court in recent seasons.
Thybulle was a first round pick in 2019 after he was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year at Washington. He played the first three and a half seasons of his career with the 76ers and was a part of three playoff teams before he was traded to Portland.
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Thybulle previously tried to play alongside Doncic in 2023 when the Mavericks signed him to an offer sheet which the Trail Blazers matched. In his first season in Portland, he started 19 games and missed 17. During the ’24-’25 season he only appeared in 15 games.
Last season he had surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb and missed three and a half months. While he only contributed 1.8 points a game in the Blazers’ first round loss to the Spurs, he did play the last 26 regular season games for Portland, which suggests he is healthy again, which could make this a great signing for the Lakers.
In addition to being a great defender, Thybulle shot 43.9% from three in ’24-’25 and was just below 40% from three on 3.1 attempts a game last season. That combination could make him a great addition for the Lakers.
