The Lakers are still reshaping the roster after LeBron James left, and their latest move is a clear signal of where the front office wants to go. Los Angeles agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with forward Matisse Thybulle, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Thybulle is not a guy who fills up a box score with points. He averaged just 5.4 points per game last season with the Trail Blazers. But the Lakers aren’t paying him to score. They’re paying him to make life miserable for the other team’s best perimeter player.
The guy was an All-Defensive selection twice in his career. He’s long, active, and thrives in chaos. For a team that just lost its best player and needs to find an identity on defense, this kind of signing makes a ton of sense.
A low-risk gamble with real upside
One year at $3.3 million is basically nothing in NBA terms. If Thybulle stays healthy and locks down guys like Devin Booker or Jamal Murray in the playoffs, that contract is a steal. If it doesn’t work out, the Lakers can move on without any long-term pain.
The Lakers have been aggressive since LeBron’s exit. They added some shooters. They shuffled the bench. But this Thybulle signing feels different. It’s the first move that says, “We’re going to be a pain in the ass to play against.”
Thybulle has always been a polarizing player. Coaches love his defensive instincts. Analytics guys love his deflections and steal rates. But his offense is limited, and he’s been a non-factor in some playoff series when teams just ignore him on the perimeter. That’s the risk.
But the Lakers clearly think they can cover for his offensive shortcomings. They have enough ball handlers and shooters now that Thybulle can just focus on what he does best — chasing guys around screens and jumping passing lanes.
What this means for the lineup
It’s not hard to picture Thybulle coming off the bench as a defensive specialist. He could guard the other team’s best guard or wing while the starters rest. In crunch time, if the Lakers need a stop, he could be on the floor instead of a more offense-oriented player.
There is more to come on this story.
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