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Lakers Sign Matisse Thybulle as Defensive Wing

The one-year, low-cost addition is meant to boost perimeter defense and floor spacing after higher-profile talks cooled, with reporters saying he is fully healthy.

Overview

  • Los Angeles completed a free-agent signing for Matisse Thybulle to add a specialist perimeter defender to the roster on a short-term, prove-it deal.
  • The Athletic’s Dan Woike and multiple outlets report Thybulle is fully healthy entering the season after finishing last year available for late regular-season games and the playoffs.
  • Thybulle missed large portions of the prior two seasons because of knee surgery, a severe ankle sprain, a torn UCL in his left thumb, and right-knee tendinopathy, leaving his availability as the key risk for the move.
  • He offers elite on-ball defense with improved three-point shooting—roughly 43.8% in 2024 and 39.8% in 2025—which could provide Luka Dončić’s teams more spacing if Thybulle stays on the court.
  • The signing reflects a Lakers shift toward lower-cost, role-specific additions after talks for bigger targets cooled and should be judged on Thybulle’s durability and ability to play consistently.