​The Sporting News first introduced a notion that the Lakers may be sitting on a hidden target that many aren’t talking about, and now that idea is gaining renewed attention. If you’re looking for a preferred source, you can add The Sporting News as a preferred source by clicking here. As we move through the offseason, there are several intriguing options for the Los Angeles Lakers to consider in free agency. With most of the top elite free agents already signed, there are still solid players available who could provide meaningful help to a team in need.
Right now, the Lakers’ roster is respectable but unlikely to be considered anything close to elite. In fact, many observers might describe it as below average, which makes adding players who can make a positive impact on both ends of the floor a priority. Defensively, this is where the Lakers could find their most valuable reinforcements. A number of available players could contribute to Los Angeles, including Matisse Thybulle, who has recently been floated as a potential option by Sports Illustrated.
One of the most compelling Kuminga fallback options is Thybulle, a defense-first wing whose durability has been a concern. He has played only 45 regular-season games over the past two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. Yet when he’s healthy, Thybulle can be a game-changing defender. Among the players considered for this list, he stands out as the best defender for the Lakers, though his offensive upside is limited. His career scoring average sits at 5.0 points per game, and while his 3-point shooting has shown glimpses of the range teams crave—43.8% in the 2024-2025 season and 39.8% in 2025-2026—it’s important to note that the small sample sizes from those two seasons don’t give a full picture of what he can contribute over a longer stretch.
Thybulle’s offensive production isn’t where his value lies, but his ability to disrupt opposing offenses and provide reliable perimeter defense could be exactly what the Lakers need to balance their lineup. The argument in favor of giving him a look is that there are, frankly, far worse options available in free agency. The Lakers could benefit from adding a defensive ace to anchor their second unit and to lift their overall defensive identity, especially against the league’s more dynamic wings.
Of course, any decision will hinge on health and fit. Thybulle has proven he can be a disruptive defender at the highest levels when he’s on the floor, but his limited playing time in recent seasons makes evaluating his impact more challenging. The Lakers would be wise to weigh Thybulle’s defensive potential against the realities of his injury history and offensive ceiling. If Los Angeles can secure a player who can complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis, while also providing consistent effort on the other end, it could move the team closer to becoming a more complete unit.
In sum, as the Lakers navigate the remainder of the offseason, the defensive profile of potential additions like Thybulle stands out as a real talking point. The combination of a high-impact, perimeter defender with the right mindset and role could help the Lakers maximize their ceiling without forcing them into overpaying for uncertain long-term pieces. While the offensive limitations are a caveat, the strategic value of bolstering the team’s defense is clear, and Thybulle’s profile makes him one of the more interesting, practical options to consider in free agency.