To many, the Philadelphia 76ers were one of the most disappointing teams in the trade market before the deadline. A lot of people were not fans of the cost-cutting moves they did, especially since they did not yield some immediate aids to bolster their campaign. Luckily for the front office, they can still redeem themselves thanks to the buyout market having a slew of intriguing names they can monitor.
One of the players expcted to be available sooner than later is Matisse Thybulle. The former 76ers wing is reportedly already on the verge of a contract buyout with the Trail Blazers, and with Portland needing a couple of roster spots to convert the contracts of their two-way players, it is probably safe to trust that rumor.
If so, the 76ers present a compelling case as a landing spot for the two-time All-Defensive Team member. The team currently has a void on the wings with Paul George still out of commission due to his suspension, and Jared McCain’s absence also leaves another spot in the rotation off the bench. But more importantly, Philly could use a defensive boost.
The 76ers could reunite with Matisse Thybulle to improve their defense
Thybulle looks like he is going to be the odd man out in Portland’s loaded roster, but that is absolutely not a judgment on his viability as a rotation piece for a playoff team. After all, his defensive acuity remains at a high level. Unless proven otherwise, he is an incredible floor-raiser on the defensive end.
The 76ers are in the middle of the pack when it comes to most defensive metrics, which points to their inconsistency on that end. That makes it all the more intriguing for them to reunite with Thybulle, who spent his first three full seasons as a pro in Philadelphia.
With a contract buyout a lock at this point, the 76ers should come knocking at his door. After all, they have an actual role tailor-made for him as a wing defender who can guard multiple positions. Even better, his three-point shooting has improved with the Trail Blazers.
Thybulle is not spotless. His offensive game is a complete mirage at times, and his availability has become a huge question mark for a couple of years now. But with the cost of getting him not amounting to much, it is tough to envision the 76ers getting a better target in the buyout market than one of the best defenders in the league.