76ers Rumors: Warriors Another Team Linked to Matisse Thybulle
In this story:
Philadelphia 76ers defensive standout Matisse Thybulle is garnering interest on the trade market. As the deadline approaches, it’s become clear that Thybulle is the Sixers’ most prominent trade chip. While the Sacramento Kings seemed like lone suitors on Monday night, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly another team that could potentially enter into the mix.
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Warriors “have had internal discussions” about Thybulle and “like him as a defensive stopper.”
As the reigning NBA Champions sit fifth in the Western Conference with a 26-24 record, the Warriors are clearly viewed as buyers at the deadline this season. While Golden State has never been a team to lack scoring when healthy, they could use some help on the defensive end.
Since entering the NBA, Thybulle has quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier defenders on the perimeter. After getting drafted by the Sixers in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, Thybulle established himself as a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team member.
Thybulle’s defense has been valuable in Philadelphia, but his offensive shortcomings have left Sixers head coach Doc Rivers unsure about his role in the team’s rotation this year. Through Thybulle’s first three seasons in the NBA, the defensive standout averaged 22 minutes on the court.
This year, he’s averaged 12 minutes per game.
In the past, Thybulle was widely considered a nearly-untouchable trade prospect on the Sixers, but that no longer seems to be the case. While the Sixers don’t seem to be desperate to shop Thybulle around, as he will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, he is a player to be monitored over the next week as multiple teams out West are keeping an eye on him.
Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.
