The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly targeting free agent wing Matisse Thybulle to address their need for perimeter defense, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. This pursuit comes as the team also continues to pursue free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga.
General manager Rob Pelinka has been active in reshaping the Lakers' roster this offseason, and these potential additions signal a desire to make two more significant moves before the summer concludes. Kuminga has expressed interest in joining the Lakers, but contract negotiations are ongoing, with Kuminga reportedly unwilling to accept the current offer. Matiise Thybulle has spent parts of four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Thybulle, known for his disruptive defensive abilities, could provide the lockdown perimeter coverage the Lakers have lacked in recent years. He has spent the last four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, though injuries have limited his availability, with him playing in only 132 games over that span. He played just 30 games during the 2025-26 season, and has exceeded 70 games in a single season only once in his career.
Despite his injury history, Thybulle has earned Second-Team All-Defensive honors twice. Offensively, he has shown proficiency from beyond the arc, shooting 44% and 40% from three-point range in the last two seasons, respectively, a significant improvement from his career .349 percentage from deep.
The acquisition of Thybulle would likely require the Lakers to find additional salary cap flexibility. The team has already added Ziaire Williams to the roster as part of their offseason moves.
Adding both Kuminga and Thybulle would address key areas of need for the Lakers as they aim to build a championship-contending roster for the upcoming season.