Is Matisse Thybulle Playing Tonight 2023?

Philadelphia 76ers wing Matisse Thybulle has been a hot commodity this season, and it seems as if the team is ready to trade him. According to Marc Stein, a third of the league has inquired about him at various points this season.

He's a defensive-centric player who was rewarded with a spot on the All-NBA second team this season. He's averaging a career-high 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game this season.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are set to retool their roster ahead of the 2023 NBA trade deadline. As a result, they’ve had plenty of names in rumors, including Furkan Korkmaz and Matisse Thybulle.

The 25-year-old is one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and his ability to lock down players like Ben Simmons made him an excellent fit in Philly. But his shooting struggles have weakened his value on offense, and his contract expires in 2023.

If the Sixers trade him, they may be able to get a player that can help them out in that area, like Trey Lyles. He’s a 6foot-9 player with a 36.6 percent career clip from deep who can play defense on bigs and wing players, too.

He’s also a solid rim protector who has played in the postseason, which could be a benefit for the Blazers as they look to rebuild their rotation around Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons.

Though they’re not in the bottom three in defensive efficiency, the Sixers have a lot of holes on their team. Getting more pieces to shore up the backcourt would help, as they currently only have Georges Niang and Shake Milton available.

But they’re still a very good team and can certainly make it out of the first round if they find an upgrade at center. The Sixers could still re-sign Nerlens Noel, but they’d have to find an additional team willing to take on his massive $4.3 million salary.

They could also try to add more athleticism on the wing, as they’ve been looking to do since last season. That could mean trading Thybulle for a more athletic wing player, or even trading him for an extra bench option.

In addition to the two rumors about Thybulle, there are several other players that are reportedly in the trade market, including Nerlens Noel and Bojan Bogdanovic. There are also some teams that have a history with the 76ers’ president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, that might be interested in making a deal.

There are a few different options for the 76ers as they look to improve their team in time for the trade deadline, but they should only make a move if it brings back a meaningful upgrade. It’s a tough decision to make, but the right one will be worth it in the end.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have been a very active team on the trade deadline, trading away players and adding others. They have sent Josh Hart to the New York Knicks, flipped Svi Mykhailiuk and Ryan Arcidiacono in a deal for Cam Reddish, and now they have landed defensive-minded guard Matisse Thybulle from Philadelphia.

The 25-year-old Thybulle is a terrific defender and has been a two-time second-team All-Defensive player. In 2021-22, he averaged 5.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 31.3 percent from three. He is a good fit for Portland because of his ability to play defense, but he will need to improve his offense to help the Blazers reach the playoffs this season.

It’s unclear whether he will see significant playing time with the Blazers, but Thybulle is an excellent defender who is a great complement to Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. He also gives the Blazers a versatile offensive option for when they need to stagger their rotations.

Regardless, the Blazers’ defense is a major weakness, and it will need to be fixed if they want to make the playoffs this year. The addition of Thybulle will help them solve that problem and give the Blazers a boost as they prepare for the playoffs.

Another big move for the Blazers comes in a trade that moves forward Jalen McDaniels from the Philadelphia 76ers to Portland. McDaniels is a 6-9 forward who has been in Charlotte this season and has posted a strong 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and two assists in 26.7 minutes per game.

He will be a valuable addition for Portland, as McDaniels is a very solid athlete who can score in the half-court. He is an ideal fit for Portland’s style of play and will add a lot to their bench, especially with the emergence of Anfernee Simons.

The trade is a big win for the Blazers, who have been struggling to find a way to win games this season. With a strong defensive lineup, the Blazers should be able to keep pace with their Western Conference rivals and have a shot at the playoffs this year.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are coming off an historic season in which they won a franchise-record 56 games and made it to the NBA All-Star game. They also defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. In the end, however, they fell short of their goal and lost in six games to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The team is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference but they have three games left to play on their regular season schedule, and they could potentially shift their seed before the end of the year. They have one of the top defensive teams in the league and have a deep roster, with players like OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakim and Scottie Barnes all capable of limiting the opposing team’s best player.

But the team has been hampered by a few issues this season, including a poor shooting performance and some injuries. They are 0-2 in their last two home games and have been outscored by 16 points in the third quarter of each of those contests. They are 2-5 in their last seven games and have scored fewer than 100 points in four of those games.

This has led to some speculation that the Raptors may try to move on from their current roster and start fresh with a different group of players. This is a strategy that has worked well for the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks, who are both in the NBA’s Western Conference.

There is a strong possibility that the Raptors will add another big man in the offseason, possibly in the form of OG Anunoby. He was a starter on the Raptors’ top-seeding Eastern Conference Finals team and is considered to be one of their best defensive players.

He averaged a career-high 5.5 points per game in the regular season, but his shooting performance wasn’t what many expected. He shot 31.3 percent from three-point range on 2.2 attempts per game.

Thybulle has been a solid backup to Danny Green, who is expected to see more playing time as the season moves on. He’s a great pass-first defender and can provide valuable support in the backcourt.

Milwaukee Bucks

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, many teams are looking to upgrade their rosters in order to improve their chances of winning a championship. In the process, they often have to shed some salary as well. One name that keeps surfacing in trade talks is Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle.

A lot of teams are interested in the two-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team member and he could be on the move by the time Thursday afternoon rolls around. Marc Stein of HoopsHype has reported that there are several teams inquiring about him including the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers.

While he has been struggling offensively this season, he still offers the Bucks another valuable defensive weapon in their rotation. His 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game were good enough to earn him All-NBA Defensive Second Team honors in 2021 and 2022.

His slashing ability is also very useful for the Bucks, as he has an average of 19.5 points, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 51.1 percent shooting this season. He has also shown that he can be effective as a screener and lane filler in transition.

With his defensive prowess and the Bucks' desire to get younger at a position that was previously manned by Wesley Matthews, Thybulle is an ideal fit for Mike Budenholzer's system. He has a strong work ethic, plays hard and is never afraid to get scrappy on the defensive end.

He's not a great three-point shooter but he does have the ability to knock down his shots from deep on a consistent basis. If he can find his groove on offense, he could be an important part of the Bucks' future.

Despite a down year, the Milwaukee Bucks are still a top-10 team in the Eastern Conference and look to make a playoff run this season. They've bolstered their lineup with Jrue Holiday and have been led by Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks are currently tied for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, but they have an outside shot of moving into the fourth spot. They have an All-NBA player in Giannis Antetokounmpo and a strong supporting cast of Jrue Holiday, Wesley Matthews, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis and P.J. Tucker.

Where Is Matisse Thybulle From 2023?

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired Matisse Thybulle from the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-team deal. The Trail Blazers will receive Jalen McDaniels, Svi Mykhailiuk and multiple second-round picks in the trade, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The 76ers have struggled on offense this season, and while Thybulle does provide defensive prowess, it hasn't helped his scoring production. As a result, he is a likely candidate to be dealt ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Trade Analysis

Matisse Thybulle has been a popular player in the rumor mill this season, but there's little doubt that his trade value has been steadily dwindling. The 25-year-old has averaged just 12.1 minutes per game this season, and with his restricted free agency looming in the summer, Philadelphia may have no choice but to move him.

The Portland Trail Blazers are the latest team to enter the fray, acquiring Thybulle in a three-team deal that also sent Jalen McDaniels to Philadelphia. The move was a no-brainer for the Blazers, who need wing depth and a reliable defender.

Adding McDaniels, who is still only 25, adds some size and length to the Sixers' roster. He isn't the most athletic player, but he does a decent job of running the floor and creating space for teammates. He can play either the wing or the guard spot, and he isn't a bad 3-point shooter for his age.

In the long run, this isn't a bad deal for either team. The 76ers are looking to add some veteran leadership in the wake of the disappointing season they've had so far, and the Kings want to improve their bench. They have a number of young players they can develop in the next few years, so they would be willing to part with some pieces to acquire a younger, more experienced wing.

As for the Bucks, they are one of the oldest teams in the league, and they need a fresh pair of eyes on the bench. The Bucks haven't added much in the way of talent this season, so adding a talented, versatile wing like Thybulle could be a good move for them.

The Sixers are a young team with a lot of promise, and the addition of a veteran presence could give them a better chance to make a deep playoff run. If Thybulle can play well, he could be an effective backup to Ben Simmons, who is on the cusp of becoming a superstar in the NBA.

The 76ers are a big, defensive team with a good point guard and several quality options at the wing position, but there is room for improvement. Whether or not the team can improve will depend on the progress of its young core players, but a move like this might be the only way to upgrade the bench without breaking the bank.

Signings

The Philadelphia 76ers are in the middle of a busy trade deadline, but they have yet to deal away one of their most valuable assets: swingman Matisse Thybulle. He has been a hot commodity in the rumor mill since last season, but it's unlikely that any team is willing to give him up for anything less than an elite rotation-level wing.

In the meantime, he has quietly become an all-around player for the Sixers. He is one of the best wing defenders in the game and is very effective on the glass. He has also improved as a shooter and finisher, but his all-around game is still relatively raw.

His all-around game should improve as he matures, but it's difficult to see why he should be traded at this point in his career. He is a defensive specialist, but he lacks the skill set to be an elite scorer or playmaker.

With the 76ers relying heavily on Joel Embiid, James Harden and De'Anthony Melton, Thybulle has not received enough minutes this season to make a significant impact. Rather than trading him, Morey and Brand would be better off figuring out a way to fit him in around Embiid and Harden while keeping him healthy for the playoffs.

He will need to be on the court if he is to have any chance of making a meaningful contribution in the postseason, but that's not going to happen unless he gets more playing time. He has struggled to find consistent minutes on the wing this season, and that's because the team has been reliant on the starters to take care of most of the scoring in the middle of the floor.

The 76ers can't afford to lose him for nothing as a free agent this summer, though. He is a restricted free agent, so they have the right to match any offer sheet he signs. They can also decline his $4.3 million player option to keep him this season, but that could put them above the NBA's luxury-tax threshold for the second year in a row.

Free Agency

Thybulle has never been a star, but the two-time NBA All-Defensive second-team player has developed into one of the league's premier defenders. He's a wing who can guard multiple positions, and he wreaks havoc on the opposition's passing lanes while also shooting a 32.5 percent three-pointer.

He has yet to become a reliable scorer, though, and teams tend to ignore him on the perimeter. As a result, his usage has decreased significantly this season, and he hasn't been able to take advantage of the opportunities he has had.

As a result, he's likely to hit the open market in 2023 and will be an intriguing trade candidate. He's a good option for any team in need of a young, defensive-minded wing.

The Sixers and Thybulle have not reached a deal on a rookie-scale extension, which means he'll be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2023. This means he'll have the ability to gauge offers from other teams and potentially sign a long-term deal with the Philadelphia 76ers should he choose to do so.

His value as a wing will likely be limited, but he could still be a valuable player on the open market if he has the opportunity to join a team with an established playmaker and shooter. He's already a decent defensive option, but it's hard to see why he would be worth much more than the $4.4 million he's currently due in 2023-2024.

In the meantime, he's an intriguing young wing in need of a home for the rest of his career. While he's not a great scorer, he has an all-around game that other teams will need in the future.

There's no guarantee that he'll be a top-tier defensive wing in the future, but he's a talented young player who can develop into something special. As a restricted free agent, he'll be an excellent trade candidate for any team that needs an athletic, well-rounded wing to fill in the gaps on their roster.

The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly looking to deal Thybulle, and they've been linked to a possible Serge Ibaka for him trade. However, the Bucks might not be interested in Ibaka as a wing and could use their cap space to pick up a young scorer instead.

Off-Season

Thybulle's off-season has been spent mostly working to hone his defensive game and improve his overall offensive production. This has included developing a better understanding of how to get open on the fast break and working to reduce his turnovers.

He also improved his jump shot this off-season. He has hit threes on over 40 percent of his attempts, compared to just under 30 percent last season. He has also been improving his movement off the ball and has made sneaky cuts around Joel Embiid post-ups, sprinting into free space on the fast break and has reduced his turnovers to seven all season in 581 minutes.

While he has flashed improvements on both ends of the floor, Thybulle is still struggling to find consistent scoring opportunities in his limited minutes. He has scored in double figures just twice this season, averaging 2.8 points per game. He has only produced four steals in 12 games this month and hasn't been a fantasy-relevant player this year.

However, Thybulle's defensive prowess has remained unmatched in Philadelphia this season. He has a 106.3 defensive rating in 12.1 minutes per game, per Stat Muse, and he has been an integral part of the team's zone defense whenever the Sixers have gone to it.

In addition, Thybulle has a strong track record for playing at a high level in playoff situations. He has averaged 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 43.6 percent from the field in his 13 playoff appearances with the Sixers.

His playmaking skills have also continued to improve this offseason. He has increased his usage on the fast break and has become more of a pass-first option, assisting on over two-thirds of the Sixers' passes this season. He has a better understanding of how to get open and has worked on his shooting mechanics in an attempt to get more 3-point attempts.

While his offense is not good enough to earn him a starting spot, Thybulle has shown that he can play a significant role for the Sixers in the regular season. He has been 19-4 in games he has played 12-plus minutes this season, while he has been 10-0 when he has logged 20-plus minutes.