The Portland Trail Blazers front office is focused on complex Damian Lillard trade scenarios, but they have had another decision thrown on their front burner — whether or not to match an offer sheet for Matisse Thybulle.
Chris Haynes of TNT/Bleacher Report broke the news.
Portland Trail Blazers RFA Matisse Thybulle intends to sign an offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/Zbhl2Za55o
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 5, 2023
That offer will almost certainly be for the mid-level exception of $12.4 million next season — $54 million over four years — the most the Mavericks can offer.
That’s a fair salary for Thybulle, one of the best free agents left on the market. He is a two-time All-Defensive Team player who is elite on that end of the court but limited on offense. Thybulle took some steps forward on offense last season, shooting 36.5% from 3 and turning the ball over less, but he is still the guy opposing defenses will help off of.
For a Mavericks team with plenty of shot creation in Luka Dončić and just re-signed Kyrie Irving, adding an elite defensive wing makes sense.
For a Trail Blazers team about to trade away Lillard to rebuild around Scoot Henderson, does keeping Thybulle make sense? Portland will threaten to match the offer to try and get a sign-and-trade done, but Thybulle to the Mavericks makes more sense.