Mavericks trade rumors: Interest in Matisse Thybulle to fill wing need

The Dallas Mavericks need defense after trading for Kyrie Irving. The cost of acquiring the star guard was Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and three draft picks, which meant Dallas had to part with their best perimeter defender and a key playmaker to land Kyrie. The Mavs are going to have an elite offense with Luka Doncic and Irving, but can they find a defensive upgrade or two before Thursday’s deadline?

They are still searching the market in the final hours before the buzzer. Dallas is hoping to plug multiple holes, and they have an important decision to make on Christian Wood. Do the Mavericks deal his expiring contract or keep him and risk losing him for nothing in free agency? Extension talks have not progressed, so it will be a telling deadline day.

Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports noted that Dallas wants a wing defender before the trade deadline, and he linked them to Matisse Thybulle. The Sixers are willing to move on from the 25-year-old, and this is not the first time Dallas has been rumored to be interested.

**Thybulle was reportedly traded to the Portland Trail Blazers after this story published.

Mavericks trade rumors: Interest in Matisse Thybulle to fill wing need

Thybulle is playing a small role for the Sixers this season. His defense is impactful, but he struggles to hit open shots and offers little on the offensive end of the floor. The 6’5 wing will be a restricted free agent this summer, so Dallas would have to be willing to pay Thybulle if they sink an asset into trading for him.

The Mavs need defense, but Thybulle is far from the ideal fit. Dallas would gamble that Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving would give them enough offense that it would not matter, but the Sixers have Joel Embiid and James Harden, and they are only playing Thybulle 12.1 minutes per game. Can the Mavericks find more playing time for the talented defender? Philadelphia has more depth, but it will be hard to play him more than 20 to 25 minutes per game.

Will the Dallas Mavericks trade for Matisse Thybulle before the 2:00 p.m. CT deadline on Thursday? If not, do they make another move? Fans know general manager Nico Harrison will be active and aggressive, so stay tuned for all the latest.