Blazers Expected to Match Mavs’ Offer to Matisse Thybulle

The Mavericks reportedly are signing Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle to an offer sheet (story), but Thybulle may not be sporting a Dallas uniform next season.

Thybulle is a restricted free agent, giving Portland the right to match outside offers. Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Mavs’ offer will be for three years and about $33 million. It’s expected to be signed Thursday, giving the Blazers two days to match, as noted by Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT, who broke the news.

Well, matching the offer is precisely what the Blazers are expected to do, according to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report.

In other words, this could just be a small bump in the road for Portland, which is placing the majority of its focus on trades centered on star guard Damian Lillard.

And given that Dallas is acquiring forward Grant Williams in a trade with the Celtics and Spurs (story), it will likely have to shed some salary if it were to keep Thybulle, too.

Thybulle, 26, was acquired by the Blazers from the 76ers in February as part of a four-team trade that also involved the Knicks and Hornets. He appeared in 22 games for the Blazers and averaged a career-high 7.4 points.

Mostly, he is known for being a top-notch perimeter defender — and if the Mavs can retain him, could offer that skill alongside star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

That scenario, however, seems unlikely and Thybulle appears to be headed back to the Blazers.

RFA Matisse Thybulle will sign a three-year contract offer sheet in the $33 million range with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/u9VTyEJtH0

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2023