After rumors of their interest had been swirling for a week, the Lakers have agreed to sign defensive wing Matisse Thybulle to a one-year, $3.3 million veteran minimum contract, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
The Lakers are looking for 3&D wings to play around Luka Doncic and, on paper, Thybulle fits that bill perfectly. He is a high-level perimeter defender, a two-time All-Defensive Team player (most recently 2022), and in the last two seasons he shot 43.8% and then 39.8% from 3-point range. Thybulle long had the reputation of an elite defender who became tougher to use in the playoffs because of his offensive liabilities, but the signs of improved offense the past couple of years could change that narrative.
The concern here is health — Thybulle has played a total of 45 games over those last two seasons. He missed time last season following a thumb surgery (torn ulnar collateral ligament) and has had more chronic knee and ankle issues.
Adding Thybulle brings the Lakers to 16 standard contracts, one more than the league will allow them to carry into the season, meaning that one player needs to be traded, or waived and stretched, before the season starts. The Lakers have talked with Atlanta about a sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga, but the sides are not close, however, if it were a two-for-one deal it would open up a roster spot. Also, the Lakers have looked to trade Dalton Knecht this summer and have talked to teams about a Jake LaRavia or Jarred Vanderbilt trade (teams are more interested in LaRavia, who is owed just $6 million this season, in what would be the final year of his deal).
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