Thybulle Strengthens Lakers Defense
Los Angeles Lakers Sign Defensive Wing Matisse Thybulle, Creating Roster Space Need
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Key Points
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Thybulle is a 29-year-old defensive-minded wing who is widely regarded as a true 3-and-D player, offering strong on-ball defense and perimeter shooting upside after returning from injury with Portland late last season.
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With 16 players under contract and the team still over the cap, Los Angeles will need to move a player via trade or waiver (a potential waive-and-stretch of Jarred Vanderbilt has been discussed as a possibility) to reach 15 by opening night.
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Blooming around the Kuminga pursuit, reports indicated momentum stalled on a breakthrough with Jonathan Kuminga, which may have accelerated the Lakers’ quick roster decisions to finalize the group.
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Last season with Portland, Thybulle appeared in 30 games due to a knee issue but still posted notable defensive impact, averaging about 2.0 steals per game on limited minutes (roughly 16 per game), along with 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game over his 30 appearances.
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal with defensive wing Matisse Thybulle, according to CBS Sports. The signing brings LA's roster to 16 guaranteed players — one over the NBA limit — forcing the team to move a player before the 2026-27 season opens.
Thybulle, 29, is a 3-and-D specialist known for his elite on-ball defense. He played just 30 games last season with Portland due to a knee injury but still averaged 2.0 steals per game, per Sports Illustrated. The Lakers are betting he stays healthy and plugs a hole on the perimeter.
Thybulle Fits Lakers' Push for Perimeter Defense
Los Angeles has made defense a clear priority this offseason. The team is building around superstar Luka Doncic and newly re-signed Austin Reaves. Thybulle fits that vision as a wing who can guard the opponent's best perimeter player, according to Fresno Bee.
In his 30 appearances with Portland last season, Thybulle posted 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game on about 16 minutes per night. Those numbers are modest, but his defensive impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He is entering his ninth NBA season, per Sports Illustrated.
Lakers Must Cut a Player to Reach 15-Man Roster Limit
With 16 guaranteed contracts, the Lakers have a math problem to solve. NBA rosters must sit at 15 players by opening night. The team is still over the salary cap, so they cannot simply waive a player and eat the money cleanly, according to CBS Sports.
One option getting attention: a waive-and-stretch of Jarred Vanderbilt. That move would spread his remaining salary over several years, easing the cap hit. A trade is also possible. CBS Sports noted that a Bronny James trade could be one way to solve the roster crunch.
Stalled Kuminga Talks May Have Pushed Lakers to Act Fast
The Lakers had been linked to Jonathan Kuminga, a young forward coming off his Warriors tenure. But reports indicate that momentum on a Kuminga deal stalled, per Sacramento Bee. That appears to have pushed LA to move quickly and lock in their wing depth another way.
Thybulle is a lower-cost, lower-risk option compared to Kuminga. At $3.3 million on a one-year deal, he gives the Lakers flexibility. If he rebounds from his knee injury and plays well, it could look like a savvy pickup. If not, the team is not locked in long-term.
Health Is the Big Question Mark for Thybulle
Thybulle has played just 45 games over the last two seasons combined, per Z93 Jamz. That is the central concern. When healthy, he is one of the better perimeter defenders in the league. His steal rate and ability to disrupt passing lanes are well above average.
If Thybulle can log consistent minutes off the bench, he gives the Lakers a genuine stopper next to Doncic and Reaves. But the Lakers will need him to stay on the floor. His value to this team depends almost entirely on availability, according to Fresno Bee.
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