The Los Angeles Lakers just snagged Matisse Thybulle on a one-year veteran's minimum deal, and get this: the two-time All-Defense team member coming in means someone else is on the chopping block. Charania of ESPN broke the news, confirming the purple and gold are adding some serious perimeter defense to their squad.
Defense Just Got Real, With a Side of Three-Pointers
This dude is no joke on defense. Thybulle's a two-time All-Defense team standout, which tells you everything you need to know about what he brings to the court. Apparently, he was even talking with JJ Redick and Luka Doncic about the Lakers' desire to sign him and what his role would be during free agency before he ultimately chose this opportunity on Monday. That's how much they wanted him! But here's where it gets even sweeter: he's not just a lockdown defender. He's been draining shots too, hitting a pretty sweet 41.8% from three-point range over his last 45 games across the past two years. That's some serious two-way potential they're bringing in, and for a veteran's minimum? Talk about a steal.The Roster Crunch Is On
Here's the kicker though: this signing pushes the Lakers to 16 players on standard contracts. The rules are clear: teams can roll with up to 20 contracts through the preseason, but by opening night, they absolutely have to be down to 15. So, someone has to go. The Lakers are officially over the cap, which makes this even spicier. Waiving a player, even if it's a waive-and-stretch move for someone like Jarred Vanderbilt, won't open up any cap room at all. That reality makes a trade a much more likely scenario to get them under the limit. So, who's out? Will it be a trade, or will they surprise us with a waiver anyway? Keep your eyes peeled because the purple and gold have a big decision to make before opening night, and you know this story is far from over.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.
Originally reported by Direct RSS.