What happened: The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with veteran wing Matisse Thybulle. The former All-Defensive selection arrives following an injury-plagued tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Why it matters: Los Angeles finished 18th in defensive efficiency last season and lost perimeter stopper Marcus Smart in free agency. Adding Thybulle and recently signed forward Ziaire Williams provides defensive These additions ease the defensive burden on new center Walker Kessler.
By the numbers: Thybulle appeared in just 45 games over the past two seasons due to knee, ankle, and thumb injuries. When healthy during that span, he averaged 4.2 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 4.0 deflections per 36 minutes while shooting 41.1% from 3-point range.
What to watch: Thybulle ended last season healthy and competed in Portland's playoff loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He will compete for immediate rotation minutes in Los Angeles.