Matisse Thybulle Signs 1‑Year Deal with Lakers

Lakers Add Thybulle on One‑Year, $3.3M Contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have sealed a one‑year, $3.3 million pact with unrestricted free‑agent wing Matisse Thybulle. Reporting outlets including ESPN, The Athletic and the New York Post confirmed the agreement on Monday. The contract adds depth to the Lakers’ perimeter defense and provides a veteran presence for a roster rebuilding phase. Thybulle is expected to compete for minutes in a team that values three‑point shooting and defensive intensity.

Thybulle’s Defensive Cred and Recent Season Stats

Thybulle, 29, earned two selections to the NBA All‑Defense Team during his career, showcasing his reputation as a lockdown defender. In the most recent season with Portland, he posted 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.9 assists per game across 30 appearances. He also hit nearly 40 percent of his three‑point attempts, a shooting percentage that could give the Lakers a reliable outside threat. Over 377 career games, his averages sit at 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 assists per game.

Career Shooting Numbers and All‑Around Impact

The guard‑forward has maintained a 34.9 percent three‑point conversion rate throughout his first 377 games in the league. His ability to generate steals—averaging 1.6 per game—makes him a defensive linchpin for any squad looking to disrupt opponents’ ball‑handling. Thybulle’s size, 6‑foot‑5 and 202 pounds, allows him to guard multiple positions while contributing on the offensive end with consistent perimeter shooting. These metrics likely factored into the Lakers’ decision to bring him in for a short‑term investment.

From Celtics Pick to Trail Blazers Star

Boston selected Thybulle with the 20th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He was traded the very next day to the Philadelphia 76ers, beginning a series of moves that shaped his professional trajectory. Philadelphia later dealt him to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023, where he signed a three‑year, $33 million contract. Thybulle exercised a $11.5 million player option for the most recent season, reflecting his perceived value at the league level.

Financial Overview: $33M Deal and Player Option

The 2023 agreement with Portland totaled $33 million over three years, signaling the Blazers’ confidence in his defensive capabilities. Thybulle’s most recent contract year carried a $11.5 million player option, which he took advantage of to maximize earnings before testing the free‑agent market. The new Lakers contract drops his annual value significantly, aligning with a one‑year commitment that leaves room for performance‑based extensions. This financial structure benefits both the player, who gains flexibility, and the team, which retains cap space for other moves.

What the Signing Means for L.A.

Adding Thybulle gives Los Angeles another defender who can guard the league’s top perimeter threats and push the pace with occasional three‑point bursts. The Lakers’ front office likely views him as a rotational piece who can protect the paint and force turnovers without demanding a long‑term financial commitment. His experience in multiple systems—Boston, Philadelphia, Portland—brings a versatile skill set that fits coach Darvin Ham’s defensive schemes. If Thybulle replicates his recent shooting percentages, the Lakers could see immediate defensive upgrades on both ends of the floor.

The move underlines the Lakers’ strategy of mixing young talent with proven defenders as they aim for a playoff spot in the coming season.