1 year, $3.3 million! Thybulle officially signs with Lakers, ranks first in the league in two defensive stats

21/07/2026 04:35:16 TrophyTracker

On July 21, Beijing time, per Shams, sources revealed to ESPN that free agent forward Matisse Thybulle has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Thybulle, a two-time All-Defensive Team selection, communicated with Lakers head coach Redick and player Doncic after the free agency market opened to understand the team's recruitment intentions and his role, ultimately deciding to join the Lakers to bolster their wing defense.

Over the past two seasons, Thybulle has played a combined 45 games, shooting 41.8% from three-point range.According to ESPN stats, among players with at least 20 games last season, he ranked first in the league in steals per 36 minutes and deflections per 36 minutes.Sources say that Thybulle, about to enter his eighth NBA season, had also considered staying with the Trail Blazers, but he felt the team lacked sincerity in retaining him, offering only non-guaranteed contracts for most of the free agency period.

The Lakers also previously discussed a sign-and-trade deal with the Trail Blazers, which would have allowed Thybulle to earn a higher salary, but the two sides ultimately failed to reach an agreement.

After signing Thybulle, the Lakers now have 16 players under guaranteed contracts. The team can trim the roster through trades as late as before the regular-season opener in late October. Other reports indicate that the Lakers had also aggressively pursued fully free agent Kuminga, but negotiations never made substantial progress.

Below is the list of 16 players under standard contracts and their salaries —

Doncic: $49.49 million

Reaves: $41.24 million

Kessler: $30.11 million

Grimes: $13.95 million

Mamukelashvili: $13 million

Vanderbilt: $12.43 million

Sexton: $9.37 million

Hardy: $6 million

Laravia: $6 million

Knecht: $4.2 million

Carr: $3.32 million