The Lakers’ front office just dropped hundreds of millions of dollars on contracts, and let’s be real, a lot of fans are wondering which of these guys can actually earn that cash. National media has set the bar pretty low, and even the local fanbase is holding its breath after getting burned way too often. But two players, one new and one returning, look absolutely primed to blow those low expectations out of the water.
Matisse Thybulle: The Defensive Anchor on a Steal Deal
For years, defense-starved fans were dreaming about adding Matisse Thybulle to their roster. And now? An injury-filled career has him playing for LA on a minimum deal, right in the middle of his prime! Availability is always going to be a question mark with him, no doubt. But the guy’s a former All-NBA defender, and he brings one absolutely elite trait that will make him outplay that minimum deal: he is the best at what he does on this entire team.
Just look at Thybulle’s numbers. We’re talking an impossibly high steal rate paired with a three-point shot that’s getting more reliable by the day. Plus, he’s proven he can defend up and down the court, giving Head Coach JJ Redick the kind of versatility he used to get from a guy like Marcus Smart, only Matisse is taller and younger. Sure, injuries could sideline Matisse for a good chunk of the season again. But if he can get back to some level of health, like Smart did last year, LA might just end up with a rotation-level wing fighting for one of the team’s 2027 exceptions. That’s a massive bargain if it happens.
Jake LaRavia: Ready For Redemption?
Missing wide-open three-point shots repeatedly? That’s a surefire way to drive any fanbase absolutely bonkers. So, nobody was shocked when last season ended with a lot of people ready to just move on from Jake LaRavia, who was once touted as the “Jake of All Trades.” But hold on a second. There are actually several solid reasons to believe LaRavia is due for a significant bounceback season.
First off, the kid is still relatively young, with his 25th birthday hitting just days into the regular season. Second, his first three years were spent on what you could generously call “aimless teams,” which forced him to develop real NBA skills and habits in some less-than-ideal environments. Third, before he had that mid-season collapse, LaRavia looked totally poised to build on his career-best season from the year before. We’re talking about breakout games that had opposing fans absolutely howling in anguish. Luckily, LA’s new crew of wings and forwards should help shoulder a bigger load. Assuming he gets reasonable minutes, keeps up consistent defense, brings that motor every night, stays available, and maintains continuity with a coach who trusted him almost all of last season, Jake could be a surprise contributor.
The season is just around the corner, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for these two. Can Thybulle stay healthy and anchor that defense? Will LaRavia shake off the slump and become the reliable shooter and versatile player everyone hoped for? We’re about to find out, and it’s going to be a wild ride watching them try to prove everyone wrong.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
Leave a Reply