The Los Angeles Lakers officially nabbed Matisse Thybulle on a one-year deal Monday, adding another defensive-minded wing to their roster. It’s a move that shakes up their lineup and forces some tough decisions heading into the regular season.
Two New Defensive Wings Land in L.A.
Look, the Lakers have been busy. Before Thybulle, they signed forward Ziaire Williams to a one-year veteran minimum contract on Sunday. Williams, a 6-foot-9 guy, brings athleticism and a capable defense, even if his offense is not much of a threat and his three-point shot is, let’s be honest, mediocre. Then comes Thybulle, another defensive specialist. This dude’s a 6-foot-5 wing with a seven-foot wingspan! Talk about reach! He’s got ample athleticism too, and unlike Williams, he’s actually a good three-point shooter. So, they’ve clearly prioritized length and defense, which is a smart move, right?
The Roster Is Jammed: Who’s Out?
Here’s where it gets wild. With these two additions, the Lakers now have 16 players on their roster. NBA rules mean they have to cut one player before the regular season kicks off in October. Salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan basically tweeted out that a trade is the way they’ll make that happen. So, who’s on the block? There’s been a lot of talk about a consolidation trade possibly bringing Jonathan Kuminga back to L.A., and yeah, the Lakers still seem interested. But, Dan Woike from The Athletic says the chances of Kuminga actually heading there have dropped. Another crazy possibility floating around? Trading Bronny James to whatever team his dad, LeBron, signs with in free agency. Can you even imagine that chaos?
Despite losing big names like LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes in free agency, the Lakers have done a fine job plugging holes. But there’s still one gaping void they’ve gotta fill: a starting-level two-way forward. Keep your eyes peeled, because October is gonna be here fast, and this roster drama is far from over.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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