The Los Angeles Lakers are persevering with to discover defensive upgrades on the perimeter, with free agent Matisse Thybulle rising as their newest goal. In response to Marc Stein on Thursday, the Lakers have registered curiosity within the veteran wing this week after already signing Ziaire Williams whereas continuing to pursue Jonathan Kuminga.
Los Angeles has prioritized including size and defensive versatility following LeBron James’ departure. The entrance workplace has already reshaped the roster by acquiring Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kevon Looney, however the crew remains to be searching for one other wing able to defending opposing stars alongside Luka Doncic.
Thybulle matches that profile. The 29-year-old has earned a repute as one of many NBA’s most disruptive perimeter defenders since coming into the league in 2019. He was chosen to the NBA All-Defensive Second Staff in each 2021 and 2022 and acquired Defensive Participant of the 12 months votes in every of these seasons.
Though offense has by no means been his major power, Thybulle has improved as a three-point shooter in recent times. In the course of the 2025-26 season with the Portland Path Blazers, he averaged 5.8 factors, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists and a couple of.0 steals in 16.0 minutes throughout 30 video games whereas taking pictures 43.3% from the sphere, 39.8% from three-point vary and 84.0% from the free-throw line.
His manufacturing was equally environment friendly in an injury-shortened 2024-25 marketing campaign, when he averaged 7.5 factors whereas changing 47.7% of his field-goal makes an attempt and a formidable 43.8% from past the arc in 15 appearances. Throughout seven NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and Path Blazers, Thybulle has averaged 5.0 factors, 2.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per sport.
The Lakers’ curiosity in Thybulle comes as they proceed pursuing Kuminga by a possible sign-and-trade. In response to Khobi Value of the California Submit, the Atlanta Hawks are open to facilitating a deal that could send Kuminga to Los Angeles, with Jarred Vanderbilt and a future first-round decide swap among the many property beneath dialogue.
As a result of the Lakers have restricted salary-cap flexibility, a sign-and-trade stays their clearest path to buying Kuminga. Vanderbilt has two years and $25.7 million remaining on his contract, together with a $12.4 million wage for the 2026-27 season and a $13.3 million participant choice for 2027-28, making him a logical salary-matching piece.
Los Angeles has reportedly stored one roster spot obtainable whereas evaluating a number of choices. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin beforehand reported that the group views the ultimate roster opening as an necessary a part of its offseason technique.
The Lakers completed 53-29 final season, received the Pacific Division and reached the Western Convention semifinals earlier than being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
