Los Angeles Lakers agree to terms with Australian defensive standout Matisse Thybulle

The Los Angeles Lakers have bolstered their defense by signing Australian guard/forward Matisse Thybulle. The deal is a one-year contract worth $3.3 million, a significant reduction from his previous three-year, $33 million contract.

Thybulle, known for his elite defensive skills, was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2021 and 2022 while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. He was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in February 2023.

This past season, Thybulle appeared in 30 games due to a thumb ligament injury, averaging 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in 16.0 minutes per game while shooting nearly 40% from three-point range. The previous season, he played only 15 games due to health issues, and his career high for games played in a season is 71.

In the playoffs, Thybulle averaged 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 13.0 minutes over four games as Portland lost 1-4 to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.

Thybulle also won an Olympic bronze medal with the Australian national team at the Tokyo Games.