Sixers-Bulls Matisse Thybulle trade No. 1
Clean and simple. The Bulls get Thybulle, who would form an impressive perimeter triumvirate with Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso on the defensive end. Meanwhile, the Sixers get a pick in the middle of the first round (after the Nets likely claim the No. 23 pick via the Harden trade). Daryl Morey has drafted extremely well during his Sixers tenure and the Sixers could seek a wing with size who actually fulfills the 3-and-D label.
There’s some obvious risk here — the 18th pick is by no means guaranteed to pan out, and for all his issues, Thybulle has proven that he’s at least useful in the regular season. The Sixers are short on perimeter defenders as is, and very few rookies are high-level defenders straight out of college.
On the other hand, the writing is on the wall with Thybulle. He made second team All-Defense, yes, but should he have? Probably not. That award feels much more representative of reputation than actual performance, and the fact that Thybulle can’t play more than 20 minutes in the playoffs does limit some of his greatness on defense. You have to be on the floor to play defense.
The Sixers are one of the worst imaginable fits for Thybulle because of Embiid’s skill set. Add in the looming extension, which could price Thybulle well above what he’s currently providing on the court, and there’s every reason to explore this trade. Draft well, and you have a young contributor with a guaranteed team-friendly contract for the next four years.