Los Angeles Lakers reportedly agree to contract with Matisse Thybulle

By Jessica Bennett — 20 July 2026 — 3 min read

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly reached an agreement with veteran wing Matisse Thybulle on a one-year, $3.3 million deal. This move was reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Thybulle’s signing brings the Lakers’ roster to 16 players for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

The timing of this agreement coincides with reports that momentum has stalled regarding a potential breakthrough with free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. While Thybulle and Kuminga are not identical players, the addition of Thybulle reduces the Lakers’ roster flexibility. The team will now be at its roster limit, meaning any further additions would necessitate a trade or the release of a player currently under contract.

Thybulle’s Role and Past Performance

Thybulle is known for his defensive capabilities, having been a two-time All-Defensive honoree earlier in his career with the Philadelphia 76ers. He has also shown some encouraging signs on offense, shooting 41.1 percent from beyond the arc over the past two seasons. In theory, Thybulle is expected to bolster the Lakers’ perimeter defense and potentially offer a floor-spacing option.

Despite his defensive prowess, Thybulle remained unsigned until this point and ultimately accepted a veteran’s minimum deal. He has faced challenges with staying healthy, participating in only 45 combined appearances since the 2024-25 season. During the Portland Trail Blazers’ first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, he was not a significant factor, averaging 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per contest, and shooting 2-of-14 overall from the field.

The acquisition of Thybulle is not without some risk, particularly given his past shooting struggles, which could require adjustments from coach JJ Redick in a playoff scenario. However, such marginal additions can sometimes prove highly beneficial for teams aiming for a championship title.

Impact on the Portland Trail Blazers

Thybulle’s departure comes as a slight surprise for the Portland Trail Blazers, as the team had shown interest in re-signing him. New head coach Micah Nori had even spoken with Thybulle shortly after taking his position. With free agency having progressed for three weeks and Portland not securing a new deal, Los Angeles was able to sign him.

The Blazers’ roster currently has 14 spots filled, leaving one vacancy. Teams often prefer to keep an open roster spot during training camp for flexibility, allowing for potential changes later in the season. Earlier in the offseason, Portland made several moves, including trading for Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant, signing Oklahoma City Thunder center Branden Carlson, and claiming Indiana Pacers forward Micah Potter off waivers.

The current roster construction of the Blazers appears unbalanced. The addition of Morant means the team has four guards under 6-4, while the signings of Potter and Carlson bring their total to six players 6-9 or taller. There is a noticeable lack of wing size, which the Blazers could benefit from to enhance their defensive versatility on the perimeter.

Thybulle’s value to the Blazers was his ability to defend multiple positions. Despite his health issues, which limited him to 45 games over the past two seasons with the team, there remains a need for a defensive specialist on the roster. Options in free agency are becoming limited as players finalize agreements with new teams ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Potential veteran options for the Blazers to fill the wing position include former Blazers forward Nicolas Batum and Amir Coffey. The team could also consider younger players seeking a fresh start, such as Patrick Baldwin Jr. or MarJon Beauchamp, to address their need for a wing player.

Source: sports.yahoo.com