The Los Angeles Lakers are continuing to explore defensive upgrades on the perimeter, with free agent Matisse Thybulle emerging as their latest target. According to Marc Stein on Thursday, the Lakers have registered interest in the veteran wing this week after already signing Ziaire Williams while continuing to pursue Jonathan Kuminga.
Los Angeles has prioritized adding length and defensive versatility following LeBron James’ departure. The front office has already reshaped the roster by acquiring Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kevon Looney, but the team is still seeking another wing capable of defending opposing stars alongside Luka Doncic.
Thybulle fits that profile. The 29-year-old has earned a reputation as one of the NBA’s most disruptive perimeter defenders since entering the league in 2019. He was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in both 2021 and 2022 and received Defensive Player of the Year votes in each of those seasons.
Although offense has never been his primary strength, Thybulle has improved as a three-point shooter in recent years. During the 2025-26 season with the Portland Trail Blazers, he averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 2.0 steals in 16.0 minutes across 30 games while shooting 43.3% from the field, 39.8% from three-point range and 84.0% from the free-throw line.
His production was similarly efficient in an injury-shortened 2024-25 campaign, when he averaged 7.5 points while converting 47.7% of his field-goal attempts and an impressive 43.8% from beyond the arc in 15 appearances. Across seven NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and Trail Blazers, Thybulle has averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.
The Lakers’ interest in Thybulle comes as they continue pursuing Kuminga through a potential sign-and-trade. According to Khobi Price of the California Post, the Atlanta Hawks are open to facilitating a deal that could send Kuminga to Los Angeles, with Jarred Vanderbilt and a future first-round pick swap among the assets under discussion.
Because the Lakers have limited salary-cap flexibility, a sign-and-trade remains their clearest path to acquiring Kuminga. Vanderbilt has two years and $25.7 million remaining on his contract, including a $12.4 million salary for the 2026-27 season and a $13.3 million player option for 2027-28, making him a logical salary-matching piece.
Los Angeles has reportedly kept one roster spot available while evaluating multiple options. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin previously reported that the organization views the final roster opening as an important part of its offseason strategy.
The Lakers finished 53-29 last season, won the Pacific Division and reached the Western Conference semifinals before being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
