Blazers should cut (trade) Matisse Thybulle
This would definitely be “trade” rather than “cut,” but for the wording of the exercise; regardless, Thybulle is the odd man out in this scenario.
Why dump a two-time all-defensive wing who improved his shot, hitting nearly 39 percent from deep once he arrived in Portland last year at the trade deadline? The same reasoning for the Sharpe and Murray roles applies here – if the Blazers are set on developing their youth, Shaedon and Kris would come first.
Thybulle is definitely an NBA starter and role player, and Portland decided to match a three year, $33 million offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks to keep the 26-year-old in a Rip City uniform. It was a smart move; that’s not an absurd contract for a young-ish, proven player.
But the former Philadelphia 76er would be taking 25 to 30 minutes a game away from players such as Sharpe and Murray. Is that definitely what the Blazers want this season? Since they re-signed him, maybe it is, but is it the right call?
With the future in mind, the answer to this exercise is start Shaedon Sharpe, bench Kris Murray and cut (trade) Matisse Thybulle.