Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports

By TESN Staff

The Los Angeles Lakers have added one of the NBA's premier defensive specialists, agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with veteran wing Matisse Thybulle. The move gives the Lakers another experienced defender as they continue to reshape their roster ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Thybulle, 29, has built his career on disrupting opposing offenses. A two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection, he has earned a reputation for creating steals, deflections and turnovers while consistently taking on some of the league's toughest perimeter assignments.

Although injuries have limited him to just 45 games over the past two seasons, Thybulle remained an effective contributor when healthy. Last season with the Portland Trail Blazers, he averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 30 appearances while shooting 39.8 percent from three-point range. His improved perimeter shooting has added another dimension to a player once known almost exclusively for his defense.

For Los Angeles, the signing is about adding toughness and versatility on the wing. Thybulle's ability to guard multiple positions should help take pressure off the Lakers' primary scorers while giving head coach J.J. Redick another trusted defender to deploy against the Western Conference's elite perimeter players.

The Lakers now have 16 players on standard contracts, meaning another roster move will be required before the regular season begins. Even so, Thybulle's signing is a low-risk investment with the potential for a significant payoff if he can stay healthy.

For a team looking to improve its defense without sacrificing roster flexibility, adding Thybulle could prove to be one of the more underrated moves of the offseason.