It was reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that the Milwaukee Bucks have called the Philadelphia 76ers regarding guard Matisse Thybulle. Thybulle has been shopped reportedly since last offseason when looked at if the Bucks would be a good fit for Thybulle.
The two main reasons I previously believed Matisse Thybulle would be a good fit for the Milwaukee Bucks are defense and youth. Also, to add a third, he is affordable.
Matisse Thybulle is a good fit for the Milwaukee Bucks: Defense
As I mentioned when I explored Matisse Thybulle as an option for the Milwaukee Bucks back in the offseason I brought up Thybulle’s defense. Matisse Thybulle is a very good defender and has great size for a guard at 6-foot-5. Matisse Thybulle has been All-NBA Defense in both of the last two seasons as a member of the 76ers.
For his career, Matisse Thybulle carries a 106.3 defensive rating, per Stat Muse. Thybulle is currently in his fourth NBA season. This season, in 12.1 minutes per game (the lowest of his career), Thybulle has a defensive rating of 109, which currently marks his career low. That said, he would still slot in as the third-lowest defensive rating on the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Statmuse, behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, a Defensive Player Of The Year winner and a current candidate for this year’s DPOY award.
Matisse Thybulle is a good fit for the Milwaukee Bucks: Affordability
As mentioned, Matisse Thybulle is currently in his fourth NBA season, meaning he will be a restricted free agent this coming off-season. For the current season, Thybulle is on the books for $4.3 million, a very affordable price, $10 million lower than that of Derrick Rose, whom the Bucks have reportedly renewed their interest in.
Based on salary, the Bucks could swap George Hill for Matisse Thybulle and tack on however many second round picks it would take for the 76ers to be ok with taking Hill’s expiring contract to return to one of his former teams.
The other deal the Bucks could offer the 76ers is Jordan Nwora and Serge Ibaka for Thybulle. The 76ers aren’t one of the teams rumored to be interested in Ibaka, but perhaps with a little over 24 hours until the trade deadline, the 76ers could flip him and net Jordan Nwora in the deal.
Matisse Thybulle is a good fit for the Milwaukee Bucks: Youth
The other thing that Matisse Thybulle brings to the table for the Milwaukee Bucks is youth. Matisse Thybulle is 25 years old, and the Bucks are one of the oldest teams in the league. Thybulle is younger than Grayson Allen and Jevon Carter.
Final reaction to the Milwaukee Bucks interest in Matisse Thybulle:
This deal makes much more sense for the Milwaukee Bucks in the short term and the long term for the Milwaukee Bucks than trading for Derrick Rose. My final thought on this interest in Thybulle is please Jon Horst, make this trade instead of trading for Derrick Rose.
Stay tuned for the latest news on Thursday’s rapidly approaching trade deadline.