The Lakers Sign Matisse Thybulle, Creating a Roster Crunch

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed veteran forward Matisse Thybulle, according to ESPN. This move makes sense for a team with specific limitations, as Thybulle is a two-time All-Defense selection who can provide perimeter defense. The Lakers’ roster was lacking in this area after their sign-and-trade splurge on Walker Kessler, so Thybulle’s addition is a sensible signing.

Thybulle has shown improvement in his three-point shooting with the Portland Trail Blazers compared to his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. If he can stay healthy, the Lakers may have found a bargain on the wing. However, they’ll need to find more players like Thybulle to create a viable defense.

Roster Implications

The signing of Thybulle takes the Lakers’ roster to 16 players. This isn’t a significant issue yet, as the offseason roster maximum is 21. However, by the beginning of the season, the Lakers will need to trim their roster down to 15. All 15 players, including Thybulle, have guaranteed contracts, making it challenging for the team to waive a guaranteed salary.

As a result, the Lakers are likely to explore trade options to address their roster crunch. They have seven trade-eligible players, but it’s unclear which ones will be moved. The team may need to attach draft capital to trade certain players, making it a challenging process.

Trade Candidates

The Lakers have several trade candidates, including Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaden Hardy, Dalton Knecht, and Jake LaRavia. However, Vanderbilt has a negative contract, making it difficult to trade him without attaching draft capital. Hardy’s salary is also a concern, as it may be hard to move him due to his current contract status.

Adou Thiero impressed at Summer League, but the Lakers may prefer to keep him as a developmental project. This leaves Bronny James as the most expendable player on the roster. His father, LeBron James, is still a free agent, and at least five teams are pursuing him. A trade involving Bronny James could help the Lakers address their roster crunch.

The Lakers will need to decide whether they value Bronny James as a prospect or if he was simply the price of employing his more accomplished father. The team has months to figure out their roster situation, but the signing of Thybulle has put a spotlight on the James situation in Los Angeles.

One way or another, the Lakers will need to trim their roster. If Bronny James sticks around while another player moves, it will give the team clarity on his future. If the Lakers are willing to ship him off to his dad’s next team, it will provide a different answer to the question of whether Bronny is a real prospect or just the price of employing his father.