The Lakers signed Matisse Thybulle to a one-year, $3.3 million deal and must now trade or waive a player after reaching 16 guaranteed contracts.
The Los Angeles Lakers have added another defensive-minded wing to their revamped roster.
Matisse Thybulle
Position SF
Age 29
Height 196 cm
Weight 91 kg
Birth place Arizona, United States of America
Free-agent forward Matisse Thybulle has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Lakers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Thybulle's arrival gives Los Angeles one of the league's most disruptive perimeter defenders and another potential option alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
However, the agreement also creates an immediate roster issue. The Lakers now have 16 players on guaranteed contracts, one above the regular-season limit, meaning they must trade or waive someone before opening night.
Lakers add proven defensive specialist
Thybulle spent the past several seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers after beginning his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 29-year-old has earned two NBA All-Defensive Second Team selections and built his reputation through his ability to generate steals, disrupt passing lanes and defend multiple perimeter positions.
Credit AP Photo/Steve Dykes - Scanpix
He averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 2.0 steals across 30 appearances last season. Thybulle also shot 39.8% from three-point range, potentially making him a useful low-usage option around the Lakers' primary creators.
Thybulle was selected with the No. 20 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-5 guard-forward played college basketball at Washington, where he became one of the best defensive players in the country.
For his NBA career, he has averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 377 games.
The Lakers have already added Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jaden Hardy and Ziaire Williams during a significant offseason overhaul.
Thybulle's contract now forces the organization to make at least one more move.
The Lakers have also remained connected to Jonathan Kuminga, although their pursuit has reportedly stalled amid complicated sign-and-trade negotiations and the franchise's reluctance to sacrifice significant draft compensation.
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