Matisse Thybulle, Rui Hachimura
Oct 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura (28) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Matisse Thybulle (4) during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Matisse Thybulle entered free agency as a premier perimeter defender, and the Los Angeles Lakers saw the value he can provide. Despite offensive limitations, Thybulle fills a wing need and should have a significant role this season despite signing a minimum contract.
With nine new players, head coach JJ Redick needs to sift through assigning players their respective roles, and that will take some time. For Thybulle though, The two-time All-Defensive player already has a clearly defined role that plays to his strengths, and he is enjoying it.
“Yeah, I think it’s extremely clear. Almost to the point where it doesn’t even need to be said,” Thybulle said after the Lakers’ win on Friday. “I think we all know as players what our strengths are and I think for a lot of us this team has created a landscape where naturally our strengths are what is highlighted and expected of us and just stick with that.”
While the Lakers have dealt with early-season injuries, Thybulle was elevated to a starting role and he looks to be playing to his strengths defensively when it comes to reading passing lanes or playing the “free safety” role. The eighth-year forward appreciates that the Lakers coaching staff is taking him for the player that he is and not trying to change him.
“I think more than anything, just being valued for your skillset and have that be the thing that is wanted,” he said. “As opposed to a team trying to turn you into something else, especially now, just being year eight in my career. I feel like I know myself as a player and also seeing that reflected from the coaching staff and my teammates is nice.”
Entering a new situation usually warrants uncertainty for a player, as coaches have different ideologies and philosophies. But Redick has simplified Thybulle’s role by picking up guards full court, leaning into his defensive IQ and providing space in the corners on the offensive end.
In their win over the L.A. Clippers, the 29-year-old forward had his best performance as a Laker so far with 13 points on 5-of-8 from the field. Most importantly, he shot 3-for-6 from 3-point range, accompanied by two steals.
When it comes to role players, there is no need to overcomplicate things for them. One of Redick’s strengths as a coach is his relationships with players and Thybulle looks to be on bought in.
Matisse Thybulle knows guarding Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in practice will make him better
The Lakers have options at the wing, which could not be said in previous years, especially with defensive magnitude like Thybulle. He gets a chance to play in a winning situation again, along with two dynamic playmakers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
But Thybulle can make them better by guarding them in practice, which the veteran forward recognizes will make him better in return as well.
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