Lakers secure Thybulle in $3.3m deal, pushing roster to 16 contracts

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with veteran wing defender Matisse Thybulle, according to reporting by ESPN’s Shams Charania. The signing is a direct response to the team’s need for perimeter defence following the departure of Marcus Smart to the Houston Rockets in free agency.

The acquisition addresses a structural imbalance in the Lakers’ backcourt, which now features Luka Dončić on a three-year extension and Austin Reaves under a four-year deal. With the roster tilted heavily toward offensive production, the club sought low-cost wings capable of generating stops to support new franchise centre Walker Kessler, who recently joined the team via a sign-and-trade from the Utah Jazz.

Thybulle, 29, arrives alongside fellow new acquisition Ziaire Williams, who signed for the minimum earlier in the week. Both players were among the league leaders in deflections per 36 minutes last season, offering the disruptive off-ball presence the Lakers require. Thybulle previously earned spots on the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team during his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Despite a history of injuries that limited him to just 30 games last season, Thybulle has maintained high-level defensive metrics when healthy. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 4.2 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 4.0 deflections per 36 minutes, while shooting 41.1 per cent from three-point range.

The signing brings the Lakers to 16 guaranteed contracts, as confirmed by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. To comply with the NBA’s 15-player roster limit, the organisation must execute a subsequent move, such as a trade or waiver, before the regular season begins.