Another Team Joins List of Suitors for Sixers' Perimeter Defender

What's that old saying? Defense wins championships? That could help explain the sudden interest in Philadelphia 76ers wing defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle. 

After learning yesterday of the Sacramento Kings' monitoring of Thybulle, they're joined today by one of their competitors in the West. 

Matisse Thybulle is drawing interest from the Warriors and Kings, per @PompeyOnSixers pic.twitter.com/DxshOImlCv

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 1, 2023

According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the once-untouchable wing has now also drawn the interest of the defending champion Golden State Warriors.  

Multiple NBA sources said the Golden State Warriors have had internal discussions about Thybulle and that they do like him as a defensive stopper.

The Warriors and the Kings sit atop the NBA in scoring, Sacramento at 119.5 points per game, Golden State at 118.1. Both, however, are looking to shore up their defense. 

Pompey added that Kings' coach Mike Brown is a fan of Thybulle, who would add a much-needed defensive presence to a team that has no trouble scoring the ball. The Kings rank 21st in the NBA in Defensvie Rating at 114.5.

Likewise, the Warriors are looking to tighten up the ship on D, as they sit 16th in Defensive Rating at 113.3. 

Thybulle has fallen out of Sixers' coach Doc Rivers' rotation this season, for the most part, playing only 12 minutes per game, less than half of the 25-minute playing time he was getting last season. As noted by Pompey, the Sixers refused to part with Thybulle during the last two seasons, when trying to strike other deals.

That all certainly seems to have changed. Keep an eye on his name as we approach February 9th. 

Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports