The Los Angeles Lakers just made another move in their massive roster shakeup, securing free-agent wing Matisse Thybulle on a one-year, $3.3 million deal.
If you've been following L.A.'s busy offseason, you know the front office faced a glaring problem. After transitioning into the Luka Doncic era, the perimeter defense was looking scary—and not in a good way. Signing Thybulle gives head coach JJ Redick a legitimate point-of-attack defender who doesn't need the ball to impact winning.
Let's look at why this contract works, where Thybulle fits, and what the Lakers must do next before opening night.
What Matisse Thybulle Brings to Los Angeles
Rob Pelinka isn't paying for raw scoring here. Thybulle averaged just 5.8 points in 16 minutes per game last season with the Portland Trail Blazers, but his value shows up everywhere else on the stat sheet.
Elite Defensive Disruptiveness
Thybulle remains one of the best off-ball disruptors in basketball. Last season, he led the entire NBA in steals and deflections per 36 minutes among players with at least 20 appearances.
He averages 2.0 steals in limited floor time because his instincts and lateral speed are absurd. Opposing guards hate dealing with his length. When you pair that activity with Redick’s intent to play aggressive team defense, Thybulle becomes a plug-and-play nuisance for opposing backcourts.
Legitimate Corner Three-Point Shooting
The narrative that Thybulle is a complete zero on offense is outdated. Over his past two seasons in Portland, he shot 41.8% from three-point territory.
- 2024-25 Season: 43.8% from deep
- 2025-26 Season: 39.7% from deep on modest volume
- Combined Two-Year Stretch: 41.8% overall
When Luka Doncic collapses defenses, Thybulle just needs to stand in the corner and knock down open looks. If he can maintain anything close to a 38% clip from deep, he will stay on the floor during clutch minutes.
Why the Blazers Let Him Walk
You might wonder why Portland let a two-time All-Defensive selection leave for a simple $3.3 million contract.
It comes down to health and roster timelines. Thybulle dealt with right knee tendinopathy that limited him to just 30 games last season and 45 total games over the last two years. Portland offered non-guaranteed terms during free agency, which Thybulle rejected.
The two teams explored a sign-and-trade that could have paid Thybulle a higher annual salary, but talks collapsed. That paved the way for Redick and Doncic to recruit him directly to L.A. on a team-friendly deal.
The Roster Crunch and What Happens Next
This signing puts the Lakers at 16 guaranteed contracts, which means the front office has to make a move before late October. NBA teams can only carry 15 standard contracts into the regular season.
Lakers Current Perimeter Offseason Additions:
- Luka Doncic (Anchor)
- Quentin Grimes (Wing/Guard)
- Ziaire Williams (Wing)
- Matisse Thybulle (Defensive Specialist)
Adding Thybulle puts immediate pressure on Jarred Vanderbilt's spot on the roster. Vanderbilt is owed $12.4 million this upcoming season, but his persistent health issues and limited offensive game make him redundant next to Thybulle, who comes at a fraction of the price.
Practical Next Steps for the Lakers Front Office
- Execute a Consolidation Trade: Package Vanderbilt's salary with secondary assets to clear a spot and balance the rotation.
- Resolve the Frontcourt Depth: With target Jonathan Kuminga's contract talks stalling, L.A. needs another backup big before training camp.
- Trim the 16th Roster Spot: Waive or trade an end-of-bench contract before opening night to get down to the 15-man limit.
At $3.3 million, taking a chance on an elite perimeter defender who shoots 40% from deep is a no-brainer. The Lakers got better on defense without giving up cap flexibility, and now the clock starts on clearing out the surplus contract before the season starts.
