Trade Proposal Sends Blazers’ Matisse Thybulle To Cavaliers

One NBA analyst proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Matisse Thybulle from the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints proposed the following mock trade between the Cavaliers and Blazers:

Cavaliers receive: G/F Matisse Thybulle

Blazers receive: F Georges Niang, G Ty Jerome, MIL 2025 2nd Round Pick (via CLE), DEN 2027 2nd Round Pick (via CLE)

“Thybulle is oftentimes overlooked because he isn’t the best offensive talent on the wing, yet he shot 34.6 percent from distance last season and has shown signs of an improved jumper,” Siegel wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “The more important piece of information is that Thybulle isn’t really being utilized with the Blazers. His minutes are only set to decline as well, with Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson‘s roles increasing. Deni Avdija‘s arrival also makes it difficult to imagine that Thybulle will hold a large role in Portland.

“It seems like a matter of time before the Blazers look to move the 27-year-old, and he can still be a really valuable player in a secondary role off the bench for a contending team like the Cavs. Whether or not Portland will be asking for a first-round pick like they have with other players over the last several months is the major question mark here. Thybulle, given his lack of production, shouldn’t be viewed as an asset that can return a first-round pick right now. Then again, his defensive effort makes him an All-Defensive type of talent on the wing.”

Thybulle appeared in 65 games for the Blazers last season. He averaged 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks while shooting 39.7% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc and 75.9% from the free-throw line. 

One of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, Thybulle will make $11 million next season. 

“The Cavaliers shouldn’t want to sacrifice a first-round pick for Thybulle, but giving up two future second-round picks and Niang, who the team signed last summer, certainly presents a path to becoming one of the best defensive teams in the league,” Siegel wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “The difference between Niang and Thybulle is that the Cavs would be sacrificing three-point shooting on the bench in order to take a chance on Thybulle becoming a two-way player. At this price, the investment would be worthwhile. Any addition assets that Portland would want instantly makes this trade a dealbreaker for Cleveland.”

Thybulle has career averages of 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks with the Philadelphia 76ers and Blazers. He was the 20th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.