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Matisse Thybulle: The Los Angeles Lakers have found their next wing defender.
Free agent forward Matisse Thybulle has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the team. ESPN sources confirmed the deal on Tuesday.
Thybulle brings a strong defensive résumé to Los Angeles. He has earned All-Defensive team honors twice in his career.
During free agency, he spoke directly with Lakers head coach JJ Redick and star guard Luka Doncic.
Those conversations centered on his potential role and the team's interest in strengthening its perimeter defense.
Thybulle ultimately chose the Lakers as the best fit for that goal.
His shooting numbers have also improved in recent seasons. Thybulle connected on 41.8% of his 3-point attempts over the past two years.
He appeared in 45 total games during that stretch. Last season, he also led the NBA in steals and deflections per 36 minutes.
That ranking applies to players who appeared in at least 20 games, according to ESPN Research.
Thybulle enters his eighth NBA season this fall. He had explored a return to the Portland Trail Blazers before signing with the Lakers.
However, sources say he felt the Blazers never made a serious push to keep him.
Portland reportedly offered non-guaranteed contracts for most of the free agency period.
The Lakers also pursued a sign-and-trade arrangement with Portland. That path would have allowed Thybulle to command a larger salary.
Talks between the two sides ultimately stalled, and no agreement was reached.
With Thybulle's signing, the Lakers now have 16 players under guaranteed contracts.
The team has until opening night in late October to pursue trades and consolidate its roster.
Los Angeles also made a strong push for unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. Sources say those discussions have not advanced.
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