Instant reaction: Portland Trail Blazers acquire Matisse Thybulle from 76ers

The Portland Trail Blazers have made another trade-deadline acquisition.

After sending Josh Hart to the New York Knicks for Cam Reddish, Svi Mykhailiuk, Ryan Arcidiacono, and a 2023 protected first-round pick, the Blazers have flipped Mykhailiuk to the Philadelphia 76ers along with a 2029 second-round pick for guard Matisse Thybulle as part of a three-team deal that also involves the Charlotte Hornets.

Forward Jalen McDaniels is headed to Philly, while Charlotte gets Mykhailiuk and two second-round picks.

Matisse Thybulle gives the Portland Trail Blazers another defensive stopper

The Blazers have the fifth-best offensive rating in the NBA. Thybulle has been brought in strictly to help on the other end of the floor.

The 25-year-old has been named to two NBA all-defense teams in his first three seasons in the league. Last year, the 6-foot-5 wing was top-20 in blocks per game (1.1) and fourth in steals per game (1.7).

However, Thybulle fell out of the Sixers’ rotation this season. He’s been averaging only 12 minutes per game, almost entirely off the bench, because of his complete lack of offensive ability.

He averaged 5.7 points on only 4.5 field goal attempts per game and shot 31 percent from three last year – statistically his best offensive campaign.

His ceiling as a starting-caliber player hinges on his three-and-D potential, but with a career 3-point shooting percentage of 32.5 percent, doesn’t have any of the “three” part.

In Portland, Thybulle will be expected to do what he’s always done: be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. The issues will come when his lack of floor-spacing ability meshes with Gary Payton II’s, Drew Eubanks’, and Trendon Watford’s similar lack of 3-point shooting prowess.

Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Jerami Grant have propped up the Blazers’ shooting percentage this year. That can only go so far, though, which means head coach Chauncey Billups will have to find the correct way to stagger his rotations or risk opposing defenses standing in the paint.

Even Reddish, who was seemingly made in a lab to be the ideal three-and-D wing from a physical standpoint, is a career 32.3 percent shooter from beyond the arc.

The deal for Thybulle accomplishes two things: It improves the Blazers’ defense and doesn’t give away significant assets.

And there’s still time for more moves before the noon PT deadline hits.