NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Insider Gives Realistic Explanation on Why Acquiring $33,075,000 POA Defender is Unlikely

The LA Lakers have plenty of talented players in their backcourt, but their perimeter defense has been a concern. To strengthen that department, Rob Pelinka and co. brought in former Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart. However, one name that was also brought up about potential additions for the Lakers is Matisse Thybulle.

Recently, Lakers insider Jovan Buha spoke about the possibility of the team acquiring Thybulle and how realistic that move might be.

Thybulle is in the final year of his three-year, $33,075,000 contract, which makes him a challenging target for the Lakers. According to Buha, even a trade package including a mix of Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber and a second-round pick might not be enough, since those players may not fit well with the Portland Trail Blazers’ current roster.

Even if the Blazers agreed to take one or two of those players, one second-round pick likely wouldn’t be enough. But the Lakers also don’t have more than one pick to trade, which makes the deal difficult to pull off.

“He's an expiring (contract), and he's making a little bit more than Gabe and Maxi,” Buva said on Wednesday on his podcast (Timestamp: 20:20). “So, I think the Lakers lose a little bit of the value proposition. If you're Portland, you can save a million or two or whatever's the difference flipping him for Gabe or Maxi. I don't know if a second (round pick) is enough. Maybe if it's like Gabe, Dalton and a second for Thybulle, that's getting closer.”

“Looking at Portland's makeup, I don't think they need another undersized guard. And I don't see the basketball fit with Gabe there; I don't see the basketball fit with Kleber. I don't think a second is enough. I think ideally it would probably be two seconds, but the Lakers don't have two seconds to trade.”

Thybulle is currently recovering from a hip injury and had to sit out when the Blazers recently faced the Lakers. Before that, he played in three straight games, putting up averages of 5.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals in just under 15 minutes per game.

Multiple guards added to Lakers’ injury report

The LA Lakers have had a rough start to the 2025–2026 season, with several players sidelined by injuries. LeBron James was already unavailable before the preseason began due to sciatica, and the team has continued to lose key players, especially in the backcourt.

Luka Doncic went down after just two games with a sprained left finger and a lower left leg injury. Marcus Smart was also absent from the most recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers because of a right quadriceps contusion.

Adding to the list, the Lakers recently announced that Gabe Vincent will be out for two to four weeks due to a sprained left ankle.

Austin Reaves has stepped up as the team’s main scorer, averaging 34.0 points per game over the first four games. His efforts have helped the Lakers stay competitive, but they’re still boasting only a 2-2 record.