General manager Rob Pelinka has retooled the Lakers roster this summer, but it appears he’s looking to make two more moves before calling it complete.
It’s common knowledge that the Lakers are targeting free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. The 23-year-old has expressed interest in donning the purple and gold, but Kuminga isn’t willing to take the current Lakers offer.
While Pelinka is working to create an enticing deal for the forward, he’s also looking to add another wing player to the fold.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers are targeting free agent wing Matisse Thybulle.
Thybulle would bring the Lakers the perimeter defense the squad has lacked in recent years. He’s spent the last parts of four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, but has only played in a combined 132 games because of injuries.
It is important to note that Thybulle has played in over 70 games in a single season only once. During the 2025-26 campaign, Thybulle played just 30 games.
Nevertheless, Thybulle is widely recognized as an elite and disruptive defender on the court. Health is the biggest factor in Thybulle’s success as he could very well emerge as the Lakers top perimeter defender.
Thybulle has earned All-Defensive Second Team twice throughout his career.
He also has proven lethal from beyond the arc offensively. Despite a career .349 shooting percentage from downtown, the last two seasons has seen Thybulle drill triples at 44% and 40%, respectively.
The 29-year-old appears to be a great fit for the Lakers, but that would require the team to find additional money to sign Thybulle.
There are several questions surrounding the Lakers roster heading into the upcoming season, but adding Kuminga and Thybulle would certainly put some doubts to rest.
Now, it’s up to Pelinka to cement a championship roster.
