The next time the Los Angeles Lakers take the court, they will look much different than the last time they did as Rob Pelinka has completely overhauled the roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
While a bulk of the Lakers’ offseason work is done, they still have a need at the forward position. Without cap space at their disposal, they likely had to turn to the trade market in order to add that final piece. They other option would be minimum signings, and according to Shams Charania of ESPN, they are doing exactly that with Matisse Thybulle:
Free agent forward Matisse Thybulle has agreed on one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/h1JCsx1e6h
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 20, 2026
Thybulle, a two-time All-Defense team member, spoke with JJ Redick and Luka Doncic about the Lakers desire to sign him and his role during free agency and chose the opportunity on Monday. Thybulle shot 41.8% from 3 over the last two years across 45 games — and led the NBA in… https://t.co/yTvqUNQ8uF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 20, 2026
Thybulle is a player the Lakers have recently been linked to. They currently have a full roster with now 16 players on guaranteed contracts, so more moves will seemingly be on the way in order to add him to the roster. The Lakers have until Opening Night to trim their roster down to 15 players.
Thybulle was drafted 20th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019 out of Washington. He was named to two NBA All-Defensive teams early in his career but has struggled to stay on the court in recent years due to injuries. Still just 29 years of age though, there is some upside there if he can stay healthy, particularly on the defensive end of the court.
In 30 games last season for the Trail Blazers, Thybulle averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals while shooting 39.8% from 3-point range on 3.1 attempts per game. Throughout his career, Thybulle has struggled to be a reliable 3-point shooter, averaging 34.9% from deep for his career. If he has made strides in that though, then this could be an exceptional value signing with the Lakers.
Recapping Lakers’ offseason
As previously mentioned, the Lakers made a ton of roster changes this offseason. Before this move, they brought in new pieces like Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, Jaden Hardy and Ziaire Williams through trades or free agency.
That means they lost a bunch of significant pieces from last year’s team, including LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes and Luke Kennard.
While they feel they have a roster that is better molded around Doncic, it will likely take some time for this new group to gel and build chemistry on and off the floor.
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