5 Moves Blazers should make after trading Damian Lillard

3. Dangle Matisse Thybulle

The Blazers cannot trade Thybulle until Jan. 15, but those talks can start today. The 6’5 wing signed an offers sheet with the Mavericks in restricted free agency, but Portland matched the three-year $33.1 million contract. The 6’5 wing has twice made the All-Defensive team, despite never playing more than 25.5 minutes per game.

Thybulle turns 27 in March and could net the rebuilding Blazers draft capital. They gave up Josh Hart and two second-round picks to get Cam Reddish, Thybulle, and a late first-round pick at the 2023 trade deadline. The Blazers did not want to let the perimeter stopper depart in free agency with zero return, but they could be willing to move on for another draft pick.

Portland has three and a half months to explore their options because of his trade restriction. They need defense around Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe, but Thybulle will be over 30 as those three enter their primes. Can the 6’5 wing keep up the defense as he begins to decline?

The Portland Trail Blazers should examine the market for Matisse Thybulle as he plays a key role. They could enhance his value and net a first-round pick at the deadline if everything falls perfectly.