Matisse Thybulle Signs Lakers Deal

L.A. Moves to Strengthen Perimeter Defense

The Los Angeles Lakers have secured veteran wing defender Matisse Thybulle on a one‑year, $3.3 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The signing arrives after the franchise lost Marcus Smart to free‑agency and added Austin Reaves to a four‑year, $185 million pact. With Luka Dončić now locked in for three years and Walker Kessler arriving via a nine‑figure sign‑and‑trade, the Lakers needed a low‑cost defender who can guard multiple positions.

Thybulle, a 29‑year‑old who earned All‑Defensive Second Team honors in 2020‑21 and 2021‑22, brings a proven ability to disrupt offenses. While with the Philadelphia 76ers he averaged over four steals and blocks per 36 minutes and recorded more than five deflections per game. His college reputation includes two Pac‑12 Defensive Player of the Year awards and the 2019 Naismith national Defensive Player of the Year honor.

From Philadelphia to Portland: A Journey of Ups and Downs

After a productive rookie stretch, the Sixers dealt Thybulle at the 2023 trade deadline in a four‑team swap that sent Josh Hart to New York. The Blazers quickly matched his three‑year offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks. He played 65 games (19 starts) in his first full NBA season, but a persistent right ankle sprain forced a long layoff. Additional injuries—knee inflammation, a torn thumb ligament and right knee tendinopathy—capped his 2024‑25 campaign at just 30 games.

When healthy, Thybulle excels as an off‑ball disruptor, posting 4.2 steals, 1.1 blocks and 4.0 deflections per 36 minutes over the last two seasons. His shooting has improved, with more than 60 % of his attempts coming from three‑point range and a 41.1 % conversion rate. He finished the postseason last year healthy, averaging 20 minutes per game and contributing during Portland’s opening‑round loss to San Antonio.

“When you have this taken away from you, it shifts your perspective,” Thybulle said in his season‑ending interview. “I have a deeper appreciation now and a greater gratitude just to be part of it— to be an NBA player, to play basketball.”

What This Means for the Lakers’ Rotation

The new contract gives Los Angeles a defensive option at a reasonable price, but also pushes the roster to 16 guaranteed contracts. The NBA allows only 15‑man rosters, so the Lakers must either trade a player or release someone before opening night. Thybulle’s role could be that of a rotational defender who guards the opposition’s wing threats and helps protect Walker Kessler’s rim.

If Thybulle can stay healthy and maintain the defensive metrics that made him a perennial rotation player, he could be a valuable low‑cost asset alongside the Likes of Ziaire Williams and Austin Reaves. However, his injury history and occasional lapses in on‑ball defense remain risks that could limit his impact. The Lakers’ front office will be watching closely to ensure the minutes he does receive translate into consistent pressure on opponents.

Overall, the signing addresses a clear need for perimeter stalwart, but the ultimate success will hinge on Thybulle’s ability to stay on the court and deliver the kind of disruptive play that made him a defensive standout early in his career.